Gandhara Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara Statuette

A finely carved grey schist Gandhara high relief, depicting the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, which translates to “Lord who looks down with compassion”. The figure is portrayed regally seated in a pensive and meditative position. He raises his right hand slightly, while gently bending his left arm to hold what looks like to be a lotus flower downwards. In rare depictions, Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara is portrayed holding a sacred water flask, known as Kamandalu, which is usually an attribute of Buddha Maitreya. The figure’s robe falls in gentle folds and covers his left shoulder, leaving his masculine torso bare. The Bodhisattva is pictured  bejewelled, wearing elaborate necklaces, heavy earrings dangling from his earlobes and an embellished headpiece featuring a small stupa. His moustached-face is serene, and features downcast eyes, a strong aquiline nose, and bow-shaped lips. The Bodhisattva is modelled in classical Gandharan style, with much attention given towards facial and anatomical features, rendered in an idealised naturalistic manner, and displays several of the characteristic auspicious marks, Laksanas. These include the forehead mark, Urna, and the plain halo behind the figure’s head. The statuette was likely once part of a large-scale narrative panel modelled in high relief: the flat surface on the reverse indicates that the head was attached to a surface behind it, rather than free standing.