{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O25145"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O25145/"}},"images":{"_primary_thumbnail":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006BF1773/full/!100,100/0/default.jpg","_iiif_image":"https://framemark.vam.ac.uk/collections/2006BF1773/","_alt_iiif_image":[],"imageResolution":"high","_images_meta":[{"assetRef":"2006BF1773","copyright":"© Victoria and Albert Museum, London","sensitiveImage":false}]},"see_also":{"_iiif_pres":"https://iiif.vam.ac.uk/collections/O25145/manifest.json","_alt_iiif_pres":[]}},"record":{"systemNumber":"O25145","accessionNumber":"459(IS)","objectType":"Sculpture","titles":[{"title":"The Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara","type":"generic title"}],"summaryDescription":"","physicalDescription":"This small gilt copper alloy sculpture depicts a four-armed form of the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara seated in the posture of a great king at ease (<i>maharajalilasana</i>), with both feet resting on a seat. The bodhisattva supports his head with his upper right hand while holding a rosary, and holds a book in his upper left hand. His lower right hand is extended in the gesture of giving (<i>varada mudra</i>) and the lower left presents a wish-fulfiling jewel (<i>cintamani</i>) held against his chest. The bodhisattva wears a three-pronged diadem and a bun-shaped coiffure crowned with a jewel and the seated figure of the Buddha Amitabha is obscure but visiblee at the front. The figure is adorned with a necklace, armbands and bracelets. A ribbon-like sacred thread (<i>yajnopavita</i>) crosses the torso. The lower garment is dotted. A back-plate (or prabhamandala) with S-shaped flame patterns forms the backdrop and once supported a parasol, which is lost. The figure is seated on an oval base set on a square plinth supported by lions in the corners, which is a repair of unknown date. The sculpture is gilded but worn.","artistMakerPerson":[],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"bronze","id":"AAT10957"},{"text":"gold","id":"AAT11021"}],"techniques":[{"text":"lost-wax","id":"AAT53113"},{"text":"gilding","id":"AAT53789"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Copper alloy, lost-wax cast, gilded","categories":[{"text":"India Museum","id":"THES286062"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"SSEA","id":"THES48598"},"images":["2006BF1773"],"imageResolution":"high","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"003","id":"THES368216"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Figure","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Central Java","id":"x37113"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"9th century","earliest":"0800-01-01","latest":"0899-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Height","value":"103","unit":"mm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"02/10/2025","earliest":"2025-10-02","latest":"2025-10-02"},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Width","value":"56","unit":"mm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"02/10/2025","earliest":"2025-10-02","latest":"2025-10-02"},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Depth","value":"40","unit":"mm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"02/10/2025","earliest":"2025-10-02","latest":"2025-10-02"},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"","historicalContext":"The bodhisattva Avalokitesvara is associated with the Buddhist principle of great compassion (<i>mahakaruna</i>) and was popular among Buddhists following the Great Vehical (<i>mahayana</i>) across Asia, where many images of him were produced for worship. The bodhisattva is often identified as a saviour figure who may bring benefits both in life and after death. The presence of the 'wish-fulfilling jewel' (<i>cintamani</i>) in the hands of this representation of Avalokitesvara may identify him with a particular, esoteric form of the deity, Cintamanicakra, who became popular across Asia after the 7th century. This deity may be also seen in a clay sealing at the V&amp;A which was found in southern Thailand IM.5-1914.\r\n","briefDescription":"The bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, copper alloy, Central Java, Indonesia, 9th century","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"A similar sculpture is held at the Museum Volkenkunde, Leiden, the Netherlands (object number RV-1403-1774). And another at the Gemeentemuseum, The Hague, the Netherlands. (Acc. no. unknown)."}],"production":"A repair has been made to base of this sculpture at an unknown time and place ","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[{"text":"Buddhism","id":"AAT73738"}],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["459(IS)"],"accessionNumberNum":"459","accessionNumberPrefix":"","accessionYear":null,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2026-07-09","recordCreationDate":"2000-02-14","availableToBook":false}}