AVALOKITESVARA PADMAPANI

Image of the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara in his Padmapani aspect, “the one who carries the lotus”, standing with slight flexion (abhanga) with two lotuses at shoulder height, the right hand in varada mudra, gesture of generosity, and the left hand in abhaya mudra, gesture of non-fear. It is a figure with a head of disproportionate size compared to the body and smiling expression. She wears a five-cornered crown, earrings, bracelets, bangles and necklace with inlaid stones, as well as the lotus on the right. She wears a long robe with pleats between the legs and on the sides. It is on a base of a single row of “artichoke” type petals, with a counter at the top. A noteworthy feature of this piece, characteristic of western Tibet, is that it has a hollow back except for the base which is flat. This is because it has been cast with a very flat mold indicating that it was made to be placed against a wall. From its characteristics, in particular the “artichoke” petals at the base, as well as the folds of the robe with deep, parallel incisions, and the very flat large feet, the image is localized in the western Himalayas, perhaps even in western Tibet (Ladakh) itself. However, due to its rough appearance, it could be a late work imitating an earlier style. R.C.M. / Extracted from: Isabel CERVERA FERNÁNDEZ: Fundación Rodríguez-Acosta. Asian Art Collection. Granada, 2002.Bibliography: COMAS, R.: El arte del Himalaya en las colecciones españolas: los bronces. Madrid, 1993, p. 355.