OUTSTANDING SHAFT OF THE BODHISATTVA KHASARPANA LOKESHVARA OR PADMAPANI.
South India. 10th-12th c.

Black shiny polished stone with clay adherence. Sitting on a double lotus with the right foot on a smaller separate lotus; showing his readiness to intervene. His right hand opened in varada mudra; shows a dharmachakra; like the soles of his feet; with the left hand he is holding a lotus. Crowned with a diadem; he wears rich ornaments and over the left shoulder a finely pleated cloth and a double chain. Under his throne are sitting Arya
Tara and the four-armed Bhrikuti Tara; to the side of his head two worshipers offering heavenly garlands. Above his head the mask of a kirtimukha to ward off evil; but also as a symbol of self-consuming devotion.

The esoteric form of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara was created by the incorperation of Hindu concepts into Buddhism. Padmapani is one of the most popular gods of the Buddhist Panteon and his name literally means lotus carrier. Height 64cm; width 34cm; depth 13cm. Condition A/B.

Provenance:
-Collection Prof. Werner Creutzfeldt (1924-2006); acquired 1964-68 locally on travels.

Infos Lot 2241Art trade; Van Ham.