PERIODNortheastern India, Bihar, 9th-10th century. Superbly carved with six arms holding various attributes such as a lotus in bloom and a rosary, amplifying the bodhisattva's compassionate expression. His downward gaze instructs the eye across crisply defined jewelry and sashes towards his right hand extended in charity. In wonderful detail, the hems of his lower garment terminate in diagonal lines conveying a weight and texture to the cloth otherwise diaphanous and rarely distinguished on Pala sculpture.Provenance: From a private collection in Belgium, by repute acquired c. 1978.Condition: Good condition with some losses, structural cracks, dents and nicks, extensive weathering and wear, all commensurate with the high age of the present lot. Solid natural patina.Weight: 8.4 kgDimensions: Height 33 cmAvalokiteshvara is surrounded by worshippers. A minuscule figure of Amitabha is identifiable at the base of his elaborate head dress. Traces of inscriptions are found in the upper section of the bottom of the stele.Until the 10th century AD, many large Pala steles of Avalokiteshvara show the Bodhisattva in a standing position. In the 11th and 12th centuries, however, the form of representation with two arms and seated in a relaxed position (lalitasana) prevails. For this reason, the present statue is to be dated to the earlier Pala period e.g. 9th – 10th century. Buddhist steles from the early Pala period with such a wealth of decoration across the entire surface usually come from the Munger or Bhagalpur districts in Bihar, or from Bengal.Auction result comparison: Compare with a related but larger black stone stele of a four-armed Padmapani at Christie's New York in Indian and Southeast Asian Art including 20th Century on 17 October 2001, lot 19, sold for USD 12,925.