A RARE LARGE BRONZE FIGURE OF AN ELEVEN-HEADED AND MULTI-ARMED AVALOKITESVARA MING DYNASTY, 17TH CENTURY

the deity seated in dhyanasana, with two pairs of arms across the front, the lower pair holding an almsbowl, the upper pair in anjali mudra ('gesture of prayer'), with eighteen radiating arms along the sides holding attributes, the final pair of long arms stretched high above the ten heads (meant to hold the Amitabha Buddha now missing), each forehead with a prominent urna and surmounted by a crown, draped in rich garments folding along the legs, the chest and navel adorned with layers of jewels, traces of gesso and gilding, above a lotus-throne base, with a tiered wood pedestal (3)

Yamanaka & Co, 1902.
Collection of Isabella Stewart Gardner (b. 1840 - d. 1924).
Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, Boston (until 1971).
Sotheby's New York, 16th April 1971, lot 161.

The surface of the bronze may have originally been covered in a lacquered and painted layer of gesso, traces of gilding and pigment still visible in some crevices and recessed areas of the figure, faces, hands, crowns, jewels and lotus base. There is faint light green patina visible to sections of the body and heads. The deity's right radiating hands are missing six fingertips; eleven fingertips missing on the deity's left hands. There is possible restoration on three of the attributes and hands of the deity's left side. The Amitabha Buddha is missing from the top hands. The crowns are in good condition. The lotus is in good condition and corresponds to the shape and size of the deity. The overall color of the bronze is black is with a tinge of green.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

In 1883-1884, Isabella Stewart Gardner, the renowned Boston patroness of the arts, and her husband Jack, dedicated more than a year of travel visiting Japan, China, Cambodia, Java and India. According to the exhibition Journeys East: Isabella Stewart Gardner and Asia, 21st February - 31 May 2009, Mrs. Gardner 'rebuilt an entire wing of the museum to accommodate her growing collection.' Within this wing was a dark area called the Chinese Room (fig. 1), filled with large-scale bronze Buddhist sculptures purchased in 1902, many from the Japanese dealer Sadajiro Yamanaka -- including the present figure, which was prominently displayed on the tiered wood base included in this lot. Mrs. Gardner did not make this room available to the public, but welcomed friends, often at night. The contents of the room were sold at Sotheby's New York in 1971. 

Compare other related multi-headed and multi-armed figures of Avalokitesvara, one from the Staatliche Museen PreuBischer Kulturbesitz, Museum für Völkerkunde, Berlin, and illustrated in Chinese Art in Overseas Collections: Buddhist Sculpture II, Taipei, 1990, pl.190; another in the Fuller Memorial Collection, Seattle Art Museum is included in Hugo Munsterberg, Chinese Buddhist Bronzes, Tokyo, 1967, pl. 72. A third figure, also missing the topmost Amitabha figure, was sold in these rooms, 22nd March 2001, lot 22.