A large and impressive bronze figure depicting the bodhisattva Avalokitésvara, approx. 64 cm high, with eleven heads and eight arms. He is holding various attributes in his hands: A wreath, a kendi, a nut, a flower, a lotus and a bow and arrow. Conservative estimate of the age: Around 1960. Finely chiselled with beautiful faces. "Avalokiteshvara saw the suffering of all creatures and then made the promise that if he could not take the suffering away entirely, his head could burst into ten pieces. This is what happened directly. The Amitabha Buddha took pity on him, so he put the ten pieces together, forming ten separate heads. He added his own head as number 11. This head is at the top, and doesn't have a crown (at least, not always). The angry head, second from the top, represents the protective side of compassion. Which is why it looks aggressive." (thanks to Professor P.J.C.L. van der Velde for text and interpretation). Condition: Very good. This lot will be packaged with care and shipped registered.