A BLACK SCHIST STELE WITH PADMAPANIIndia, Bihar, Pala, 11th-12th centuryThe stele depicting in the center the deity standing on a double lotus flower base flanked by two small devotees, the right arm with the hand in varadamudra, the gesture of guarantee, the left one holding the stem of a lotus flower; wearing the antiriya cloth on her thighs and numerous jewels; below, on one side her female counterpart with a lotus flower, on the other Bhrama with the rosary and the flask; the upper section of the stele with five figures of seated Buddha.74 x 39 cmProvenance: Italian private collection.Padmapani is the iconographic version with the lotus flower of the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. She is one of the most beloved deities of Mahayana Buddhism, to whom devotees turn for her mercy and compassion.