Standing Avalokiteshvara

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.