Eleven-Headed Bodhisattva of Compassion (Avalokiteshvara)

Cleveland Museum of Art

The image is a depiction of Eleven-Headed Bodhisattva of Compassion, or Avalokiteshvara. The statue is made of bronze or brass and has a gold-colored finish. The figure stands on a flat base with a round shape and has a slender physique. The figure has a necklace around the neck and a cloth wrapped around the waist. The figure has four arms; the top right arm holds a flower, the bottom right arm is bent at the elbow and the hand touches the face, the top left arm is bent at the elbow with the palm up, and the bottom left arm hangs down by the side. The figure has a large head in the center and ten smaller heads stacked on top, forming a tower. The heads are similar in appearance, with the faces looking in different directions. The background is a gradient from dark gray to light gray.