Four-armed Avalokiteshvara. Tibet, 18th-19th centuries

Four-armed Avalokiteshvara. Tibet, 18th-19th century.
Bronze.
Measurements: 43 x 30 x 19 cm.
Bronze sculpture which sits on a detachable base, also in bronze, with a flower-like structure, a common feature in the representations of Buddha. It is a representation of Avalokiteshvara, a bodhisattva who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas. This bodhisattva is variously depicted, described and portrayed in different cultures as either male or female. Etymologically it means "the lord who looks down, who appreciates and takes into account all beings".
Avalokiteshvara is the bodhisattva of compassion. He is one of the most widely revered bodhisattvas in mainstream Mahayana Buddhism, as well as unofficially in Theravada. He is known in Tibet as Chenrezig, in China as Chenrezig and in Japan as Kannon. In Tibetan Buddhism, the Dalai Lama is considered to be an incarnation of Avalokiteshvara. A well-known Buddhist legend narrates that Avalokiteshvara vowed never to rest until he had liberated all sentient beings from samsara. Despite his strenuous effort, he realised that there were still many unfortunate beings to be saved. After struggling to understand the needs of all, his head was divided into eleven parts. Amitabha Buddha, observing his plight, gave him eleven heads to hear the cries of the suffering. Hearing these cries and understanding them, Avalokiteshvara tried to reach out to all those in need of help, but found that his arms were shattered. Once again, Amit?bha came to his aid and endowed him with a thousand arms so that he could help the suffering multitudes. Many Himalayan versions of this tale include eight arms with which Avalokite?vara skillfully holds the dharma, each of which possesses its own particular implement, while the more specific Chinese versions give different accounts of their number.