GILDED COPPER STATUE OF ELEVEN-FACED AVALOKITESVARA

　　清（公元１６４４-１９１１年）QING DYNASTY （１６４４-１９１１）

　　高２４。５厘米HEIGHT ２４。５CM

　　收藏单位：西藏博物馆TIBET MUSEUM

　　观音有六种，十一面观音是藏传佛教中常见的一种。这十一面分为五层排列，第一层三面，第二层三面，第三层也是三面，第四层单面，最上一层是一个阿弥陀佛的头像。这尊头像就是十一面中位于第四层的忿怒明王像。头戴骷髅冠，龇牙咧嘴，面目狰狞，发髻外突。头冠和耳环上镶有绿松石。这尊头像工艺精湛，是晚期西藏造像艺术的佳作。

　　AVALOKITESVARA HAS SIX MANIFESTATIONS AND ELEVEN-FACED AVALOKIESVARA IS VERY COMMON IN TIBETAN BUDDHISM 。THE ELEVEN FACES ARE ARRANGED INTO FIVE LAYERS 。THREE FACES EACH IN THE FIRST 。SECOND AND THIRD LAYER RESPECTIVELY 。A SINGLE FACE IN THE FOURTH ，LAYER AND THE TOP LAYER OF THE ELEVEN FACES ，THE WRATHFUL MANIFESTATION OF IMMOVABLE DIAMONDKING HE WEARS A SKULL CROWN WITH PROTRUDING TEETH ，HAS A FEROCIOUS LOOK AND THE HAIR IS ARRANGED IN A HIGH CHIGNON ，THE CROWN AND DARRINGS ARE INLAID WITH TURQUOISE 。THIS EXQUISITELY MADE PIECE IS ONE OF THE BEST TIBETAN BUDDHIST STATUES OF THE LATER PERIOD