Bandipur – Avalokiteshvara Statue

Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion, in gilded brass.

12 inches: sized for an altar, not a shelf
Known elsewhere as Guanyin and as Chenrezig
Gilding is thin and wears where handled
Heavy enough to need both hands

$599.90

Free shipping on US orders over $180 · 30-day returns

The bodhisattva of compassion

Avalokiteshvara is the figure who hears the cries of the world. The same subject appears across Buddhist Asia under other names - Guanyin, Chenrezig - and is among the most depicted of all.

Gilded brass

The gilding sits on a brass body and wears first at the high points, where a figure is touched. That wear is expected rather than a fault.

Handling and care

Dust it dry and handle it as little as possible. Gilding is thin, and metal polish takes it off - the one mistake that cannot be undone.

Elevate your spiritual space with this majestic Avalokiteshvara statue, a handcrafted masterpiece of Buddhist art that embodies the infinite compassion of Mahayana Buddhism. Crafted from brass with a gilt finish, this 12-inch seated statue depicts the Bodhisattva of Infinite Compassion, often known as Guanyin in Chinese Buddhism or Lokeshvara in Tibetan traditions. Featuring multiple armed hands holding sacred objects like a bead, scroll, and jewel, this Avalokiteshvara statue reflects the 8th-century style of Asian Mahayana art, inspired by the temples of Sri Lanka and Tibet. Crowned with an Amitabha Buddha headdress, its powerful appearance and intricate details symbolize the Bodhisattva’s vow to aid all sentient beings on their path to enlightenment.

This statue, with its royal quality and brass antique Chinese style, is perfect for a meditation space or temple, radiating wisdom and compassion in every view. This Avalokiteshvara statue, a symbol of the Bodhisattva who aspires to become a Buddha, connects you to the rich history of Buddhist traditions of Sri Lanka and East Asian Buddhism, as seen in the Vietnam National Museum and National Museum of History.

Available in our online shop, this handmade piece, created with a metal body of brass, is a meaningful addition to your collection or gallery. For those concerned about authenticity, rest assured: it’s ethically sourced from artisans in the region, honoring the sacred traditions of Tibetan Buddhism over centurie. Display it with reverence as a teaching of compassion, and let its carved design elevate your spiritual decor.

Buy this Avalokiteshvara statue online today to bring the embodiment of compassion into your home at an affordable price.

Three things tell you more about a figure than its price.

Size, and where it will sit. Measure the shelf, the altar or the sill first. A figure that crowds its space reads as clutter however fine it is.

Material and finish. Cast metal is heavy and takes a patina over the years. Resin is far lighter and keeps its finish as it is. Stone sits between the two. The craft is listed on most pages here.

Which figure. Each form has its own meaning and its own gestures - Shakyamuni, Tara, Avalokiteshvara and the others are not interchangeable ornaments. It is worth reading what a figure represents before choosing it, and choosing the one that means something to you.

A small figure is not a lesser one. Scale has never been what makes one of these worth having.

Orders are processed within one to two business days, Monday to Friday, with tracking on every parcel. Delivery across the continental United States then takes ten to twenty-five days.

Shipping is a flat $9.95, and free on orders over $180. We do not ship outside the United States at this time.

Changed your mind? You have thirty days from delivery to request a return. A bowl that has been played is still returnable - we only ask that it comes back complete and in its original packing. Approved refunds go back to your original payment method within three business days. Full terms are on our Returns & Refunds page.

Made of something that ages

Metal takes a patina, wood darkens with handling. Both keep changing after you have bought them, which is the one thing resin never does.

Named on every page

Shakyamuni, Maitreya, Avalokiteshvara: the posture and the hands are what tell them apart. We name the figure so you choose the one that means something to you.

Small is not lesser

Scale has never been what makes one of these worth having. The smallest here sit on a working desk without crowding it.

Frequently asked questions

What does Avalokiteshvara represent?

Compassion - the bodhisattva who hears the cries of the world. The figure appears across the whole of Buddhist Asia under different names, including Guanyin in China.

Why is Avalokiteshvara sometimes shown with many heads and arms?

The eleven heads and thousand arms are read as the capacity to perceive suffering in every direction and to act on it. It is a statement about attention, expressed in form.

Is Avalokiteshvara the same as the Dalai Lama?

Not the same, though the Dalai Lamas are traditionally regarded as emanations of Avalokiteshvara. The figure long predates the institution.

How should a gilded figure be cared for?

Dust it dry, and handle it as little as possible - gilding is thin and wears at the high points first. No polish or metal cleaner.

Where a figure sits

The conventions are simple and widely shared: raised rather than on the floor, out of a bathroom, and the head is not handled or displayed on its own. Beyond that it is your decision. We give you the conventions because they are easy to miss, not to tell you what your home should look like.

A bronze seated figure on a wooden bench, raised clear of the floor

Cast, then finished by hand

These figures are cast in bronze or copper alloy, then chased, gilded and set with turquoise and coral by hand. The stones sit in cut recesses rather than being glued to the surface. Gilding is thin by nature and wears at the places a figure is touched, which is why old pieces are brightest where nobody reaches.