Khmer Lokeshvara (Avalokiteshvara) with kundika – bronze bodhisattva, lot 150

Estimated value: €3,500 – €5,500

This is a large, heavy bronze statue of Avalokiteshvara (Lokeshvara), recognizable by the crowned Buddha figure in the crown and the attribute in the hand (kundika, the ritual water jug). This type of iconography belongs to the Khmer and post-Khmer tradition, where Buddhist and Hindu imagery were deliberately blended.

The posture is calm and frontal, with a clear emphasis on inner concentration and protection. The crown with a central Buddha image points to Avalokiteshvara as an enlightened bodhisattva, not an ordinary Buddha. This rules out a purely Thai or late decorative statue.

The underside is solid and shows old ritual filling with strong, layered oxidation: reddish-brown core corrosion, green copper salts, and remnants of a gold-colored layer consistent with old gilding. The structure is irregular, mineral-rich, and uneven—characteristics that do not correspond with modern castings or artificial patina.

The scale (42 cm), the weight (6.8 kg), and the technical construction make it clear that this is not a souvenir or temple reproduction, but a serious devotional statue intended for long-term ritual use. The condition shows age but retains strength and presence.

Conclusion: an authentic, regionally Khmer-related Avalokiteshvara statue, probably 18th–19th century, with convincing material characteristics and clear religious iconography. No indications of modern forgery.