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17. Head of Avalokitèsvara Cambodia, Bayon 2nd half 12th c. bronze, cast in the lost wax method, traces of gilding height 28,2 cm. |
The small seated Buddha image set at the base of the high chignon identifies this head as that of the Bodhisattva Avalokitèsvara, the lord of infinite compassion. The small Buddha image indicates this popular god to be an emanation of Amithaba, oldest of the five cosmic Buddhas. When the Bodhisattva had attained enlightenment, he wanted to help mankind to the path of Buddha, leading to spiritual perfection. Avalokitèsvara is portrayed with a round face with half-closed eyes and finely modelled facial features. Between his forehead and the curls that cover his head is a broad band. The sign of illumination (urna) is depicted on his forehead. The large ears are elongated and accommodate princely ornaments, reflecting his royal origins. King Jayarvarman VII (1181-1219) identified himself not only with the Buddha but also with Avalokitèsvara. For that reason this Bodhisattva became more popular in this period than at any time in Khmer history. The king ascended the Angkor throne after the capital had been plundered by the Chams of Vietnam, and set out to restore the glory of the Khmer empire, commissioning innumerable Buddhist images to be set up in sanctuaries throughout the land. His reign marked the final flourishing of Khmer artistic genius. This sculpture clearly displays the typical characteristics of the Bayon style; the head has a typical sizeable chignon with large curls, and is imbued with a serene realistic expression reminiscent of portraits of the king himself. This superbly modelled bronze reveals fine physical particularities with a concentration of restrained energy and a serene expression on the face. Though small, this classical portrait has a most majestic appearance, recalling the large Bodhisattva portraits of the Bayon temple itself. Furthermore, the high artistic quality of this masterpiece is complemented by the beautiful patina with traces of gilding, which underline its original importance. Provenance: Private collection U.S.A. Art Loss Register Certificate, Reference S00004040. E. C. Bunker and D. Latchford, Adoration and Glory. The Golden Age of Khmer Art, Chicago, 2004, p. 278, n°96 a,b,c. Cambodia, Avalokiteshvara, Bayon style, late 12th century, height 34 and Avalokiteshvara, Bayon style, late 12th century, 157,5 cm H. Jessup and T. Zéphir, Sculpture of Angkor and Ancient Cambodia, Millennium of Glory, Washington D.C. National Gallery of Art, 1997, p. 312, n°96 and n°98. Cambodia, Lokesvara, Bayon style, late 12th-early 13th century, height 44 cm and Lokesvara, Bayon, late 12th-early 13th century. N. Chutiwongs, The Iconography of Avalokitèsvara in Mainland South East Asia, Leiden, 1984, n°144-154. Cambodia, Avalokitesvara, Bayon, 12th century. |