Lokeshvara. Khmer culture. Bayon, XIII century.

Lokeshvara. Khmer culture. Bayon, XIII century.
Patinated bronze.
Wooden base.
Measurements: 45 x 23 x 10 cm.

Beautiful and unusual sculpture of the bodhisattva of compassion Lokeshvara, of Khmer origin, in bronze. It belongs to the Bayon style of the 13th century, after Angkor Wat. Standing in Samapada, she is sumptuously attired with a short sampot with fishtail folds and a jeweled sash. The face is broad-featured and serene, and appears headdressed with a cylindrical cap adorned with a meditating Amitabha Buddha. The head is covered with tightly braided hair, enhanced by a cylindrical shaped "bun" style topknot, held in place by a ribbon. In his four hands he holds, respectively, a lotus bud, a sutra (sacred text), mala beads and a kalasha. The kalasha is considered a symbol of abundance and "source of life" in the Vedas. In the Vedas it is referred to as a "teeming full vase". The kalasha is believed to contain amrita, the elixir of life, so it is considered a symbol of abundance, wisdom and immortality. His expression is lax, with a broad smile and heavy-lidded eyes, arched eyebrows carved in relief that meet in the center, drawing a single line around the broad, well-shaped nose.