Head of a Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara or Maitreya (?)

15-16th century

(Western) Tibet

Bronze with blue pigment

H 13 cm

Private Swiss collection

The face of the Bodhisattva is framed by an elaborate crown and he expresses a princely authority, with his closed eyes and a nice smile around the perfectly carved lips. His hair is arranged in an elaborate topknot. The five-leaf crown is embellished with semi-precious stones and decorated with lotus flowers above each ear. The Bodhissatva has an urna on the forehead which had been engraved with a precious stone. The remains of large ear ornaments filled with stones are still visible.