2nd-4th century AD. A very large carved schist statue of a bodhisattva on a plinth; the figure standing wearing a dhoti and sandals with swags of beads to the neck, mantle draped over the left shoulder; the face youthful with pointed moustache, urna to the brow, copious hair bound with a beaded headband; the right hand raised in the mudhra gesture of reassurance, the left hand holding a censer; the plinth with segmented panels; mounted on a custom-made stand. 72.0 kg, 120cm (47 1/4"). Property of a London gentleman; previously with central London gallery; imported from the USA in the early 1970s; formerly with Mahboubian Gallery, New York since the late 1960s; accompanied by a original early 1970s black and white photograph. The figure may represent the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, who is said to embody the compassion of all Buddhas or 'awakened beings'. According to some early Buddhist teachings drawing on pre-existing Hindu tradition, the sun and moon are said to be born from Avalokite?vara's eyes, Shiva from his brow, Brahma from his shoulders, Narayana from his heart, Saraswati from his teeth, the winds from his mouth, the earth from his feet, and the sky from his stomach. In this way, he has the role of 'primordial being' also seen in the stories of Vedic Yama and Avestan Yima, who are instrumental in creating the world from the remains of a single being. [A video of this item is available to view on TimeLine Auctions website.] Very fine condition.