Sahasrabhuja Lokeshvara – Thousand-Armed Avalokiteshvara, Filigree Sculpture

Sahasrabhuja Lokeshvara is the thousand-armed form of Avalokiteshvara and one of the most complex representations in Himalayan Buddhist art. The sculpture follows traditional figure proportions and is distinguished by an elaborately articulated surface.

The central figure shows Avalokiteshvara standing on a double lotus pedestal, wearing the crown and full ornaments of a bodhisattva. His eleven heads are vertically arranged: nine peaceful faces form the lower tier, above them a wrathful face appears, and at the summit sits the head of the Tathagata Amitabha.
The front pair of hands is held together at the chest and encloses the jewel cintamani. Further hands hold the rosary, the lotus, the Wheel of the Teaching, as well as bow and arrow, while two hands display charitable mudras. Numerous additional arms extend to either side in semicircular formations; each hand bears an eye in the palm, a defining feature of the thousand-armed Lokeshvara. Behind the central figure unfolds a carefully worked background with stylized hands.

Garment, pedestal, and throne are adorned with filigree. Fine wires are formed into spirals, filled with small elements, and combined into continuous floral patterns. Turquoise accents are set within the filigree of the garment. The three-tiered throne is encircled by filigree bands; a small banner, pataka, decorates the front and visually connects the tiers. The background is worked with repoussé shell motifs; a surrounding band of set stones frames the composition.

The figure unfolds its presence through the combination of complex iconography and precise craftsmanship, bringing form, ornament, and material into a cohesive sculptural whole.

Sahasrabhuja Lokeshvara

Statue made of copper, traditional lost-wax cast, decorated with fine filigree , silver- and gold-plated, set with colored stones. The faces are set in gold. The background is made of copper, decorated with repoussé and chasing. The work is patinated. Handcrafted in Nepal.

• Height: 50 cm
• Width: 36.5 cm
• Depth: 13 cm
• Weight: 4,672 g

The statue consists of three parts that are assembled: the rectangular base, the main figure, and the background.