Indonesia. Finely cast standing in samabhanga, his principal left hand holding a ghanta and the right held in karana mudra, while the secondary hands radiate around him holding a vajra, mala beads, a lotus stem, and a dagger. He is wearing a diaphanous dhoti secured around the waist with a beaded belt, and richly adorned with foliate and beaded jewelry.

His serene face with heavy-lidded downcast eyes, gently arched brows, and full lips forming a compassionate smile. The well modeled hair arranged in an ornate jatamukuta centered by a diminutive image of a seated Buddha Amitabha behind the foliate tiara.

Provenance: The collection of The Zelnik István Southeast Asian Gold Museum. Institutional art collection in Belgium, acquired from the above. Dr. István Zelnik, President of the Hungarian South and Southeast Asian Research Institute, is a former high-ranking Hungarian diplomat who spent several decades in Southeast Asia, building the largest known private collection of Asian art in Europe.
Condition: Very good condition, commensurate with age. Old wear, casting irregularities, expected losses, small dents, minuscule nicks, a minor old repair to the vajra. The original base may have been made from a different material and is now lost.

Weight: 205.3 g (excl. stand), 323.2 g (incl. stand)
Dimensions: Height 11.9 cm (excl. stand), 14.6 cm (incl. stand)

Mounted to a pyramid-shaped plexiglass stand. (2)

Buddhism arrived in Indonesia in the 8th century with a sophisticated iconographic system developed in India that coalesced with indigenous traditions to form a unique style, as exemplified by the present lot. This silver figure was likely originally accompanied by a bronze lotus throne.

Literature comparison:
Compare a closely related bronze figure of the six-armed Lokeshvara, also dated 9^th-10^th century, 24.1 cm high, in the Brooklyn Museum, accession number 2021.1.2a-b.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 21 March 2007, lot 295
Price: USD 16,800 or approx. EUR 24,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A rare silver figure of Avalokiteshvara, Indonesia, Shrivijaya style, 8^th/9^th century
Expert remark: Compare the related subject, material, and modeling, albeit in the slightly earlier Srivijaya style. Note the bronze base and the similar size (11.7 cm).

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Bonhams Hong Kong, 2 October 2018, lot 149
Estimate: HKD 150,000 or approx. EUR 19,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A silver figure of Khasarpana Lokeshvara, Java, 10^th century
Expert remark: Compare the closely related modeling and style, with similar expression, dhoti, jewelry, and jatamukuta. Note the different pose and the size (9.5 cm).