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Padmapani Avalokiteshvara – Nepal, Patan Workshop, ca. 18th–19th Century

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SKU

249

An authentic bronze figure of Padmapani Avalokiteshvara, finely cast in the traditional Newari lost-wax sand-core technique. Created in Patan, Nepal, during the late 18th to early 19th century, this serene Bodhisattva of Compassion holds a lotus in his left hand and displays the Varada Mudra in his right. The sculpture retains its original patina and detailed crown, reflecting the refined artistry of Himalayan Buddhist workshops.

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Padmapani Avalokiteshvara – Nepal, Patan Workshop, ca. 18th–19th Century

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Description

Padmapani Avalokiteshvara – Bronze Bodhisattva from Patan, Nepal (ca. 18th–19th Century)

This finely cast bronze depicts Padmapani Avalokiteshvara, the Lotus-Bearing Bodhisattva of Compassion, one of the most venerated deities in Mahayana and Vajrayana Buddhism. The figure sits in lalitasana (royal ease) on a double-lotus base, the right hand lowered in Varada Mudra, symbolising generosity and compassion. In the left hand, he holds a lotus stem rising to the shoulder, representing spiritual purity emerging from the material world.

The sculpture was cast in bronze using the traditional lost-wax sand-core technique perfected by Newari masters in Patan, Nepal. The interior retains traces of the original clay core and a corroded iron pin, confirming authentic period manufacture rather than modern reproduction. The surface shows deep brown and silvery oxidation with stable mineral deposits, the natural result of centuries of ageing. No evidence of modern reworking or restoration is present.

The modelling of the face, crown and jewellery reflects the refined Newari style characteristic of late 18th to early 19th century Patan workshops. The calm expression and balanced proportions demonstrate both technical mastery and spiritual depth. The open flame nimbus symbolises the radiance of enlightenment, a common element in Himalayan Buddhist bronzes of this period.

As the embodiment of compassion, Avalokiteshvara’s serene expression and open hand invite the viewer to recognise the inherent potential for wisdom and kindness within all beings. The lotus he holds represents purity of mind and the transformation of suffering into awakening.

Attributed to a Patan workshop in the Kathmandu Valley, this bronze stands firmly within the classical Newari Buddhist tradition that shaped Tibetan art for centuries. Comparable examples can be found in the National Museum of Nepal and in major Western collections.

Metrics:

Height: 33.02 cm (13 in)

Width: 16.51 cm (6.5 in)

Depth: 25.4 cm (10 in)

Material: Bronze / copper alloy

Weight: approx. 4–6 kg

Origin: Patan, Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

Period: ca. 18th–19th century