A RARE AND EARLY GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF PADMAPANI Tibet, ca, 11th/ 12th ct. H. 16,7 cm Padmapani, the "lotus bearer" is one of a hundred and eight emanations of Avalokiteshvara. Without doubt, this bodhisattva is, next to Buddha, the most popular and revered deity in Tibet. The Dalai Lamas are considered Nirmanakaya emanations of this Bodhisattva. In the ornamental body of the Samboghakaya, as the active, active wisdom of Buddha Amitabha, he shows himself in regal appearance, sumptuously robed and adorned. His hairstyle is erect, with a lotus and a mani jewel to finish it off. His head is adorned with a triple crown, the front leaf of which has the triple symbol of the "Three Jewels" - Buddha, Dharma, Sangha. Ribbons of his crown wave to the left and right of his head. The body is adorned with various jewels. Diagonally above the left shoulder, knotted over the chest, one can recognise a gazelle skin which also expresses his compassion towards the animals. Padmapani's distinguishing feature is the lotus, which is open, and as a still closed flower, stalks rise up to his sides on the left and right. Under the adornment of his loins he wears a short dhoti, patterned with dotted flowers, which are called "cat's paws" in the literature, and give an important clue for dating. The "Bodhisattva of Compassion" holds the right open hand downwards, granting wishes, while he holds the left, the gesture warding off negative forces, at shoulder level. He stands with both feet on a moon photo, symbolic of the relative truth that all appearances are illusionary. Bronze, remains of fire gilding, coiffure with remains of pigments. From an old European private collection, collected before 1998 Wear, slightly chipped