Standing Avalokiteshvara, bodhisattva of compassion, 8th century ::

Details

Place where the work was made: Central Java → Java → Indonesia
Period: Central Javanese period → Indonesia
Date: 8th century
Media category: Sculpture
Materials used: copper alloy, traces of gold leaf
Dimensions: 13.8 x 3.6 x 3.1 cm; 15.2 x 4.7 x 3.6 cm object with stand
Signature & date: Not signed. Not dated.
Credit: D G Wilson Bequest Fund 2000
Location: Not on display
Accession number: 2.2000
Copyright: Reproduction requests
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About

The standing Avalokiteshvara is of a Central Javanese style but made of a very dark bronze. Avalokiteshvara is depicted holding a book (pustaka) in his left hand and with his right hand in 'varada mudra', the gesture of granting grace. He wears a simple sarong tied at the waist and wears little ornament except for a necklace and the sacred thread (upavita). The proportions of this figure are long and elegant and the slightly square face is crowned by a tall and distinctively styled hairdo (jatamukuta) recalling the South Indian influence.

Asian Art Department, AGNSW, 16 February 2000.

Places

Where the work was made

Central Java

Exhibition history

Shown in 2 exhibitions

Conversations through the Asian collections, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 25 Oct 2014–13 Mar 2016
Walking with gods, Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 01 Jun 2019–05 Jan 2020

Bibliography

Referenced in 2 publications

Jackie Menzies (Editor), The Asian Collections Art Gallery of New South Wales, Sydney, 2003, 338 (colour illus.).
Pratapaditya Pal, Orientations, 'Sensuous Spirituality: Hindu and Buddhist Art from the Indic Cultural Realm', pg. 80-87, Hong Kong, Sep 2000, 84 (illus.; colour illus.). fig.7 and 7a

Provenance

Alex Biancardi, pre Nov 1988, Sydney/New South Wales/Australia

Danny Biancardi, Nov 1988-Feb 2000, Sydney/New South Wales/Australia, by descent. Purchased by the Art Gallery of New South Wales, 2000.