A highly important gilt-bronze seated figure of Avalokiteshvara, Acuoye Guanyin, Dali Kingdom, 11th - 12th century 十一至十二世紀 大理國鎏金銅阿嵯耶觀世音菩薩半跏像 elegantly seated in lalitasana with one leg pendant, the right hand raised in vitarka mudra, the gesture of teaching, the left arm lowered in varada mudra, the gesture of bestowing wishes, displaying a regal composure and a serene facial expression, the hair neatly piled up into a tall and elaborate crown accommodating an image of Amitabha Buddha, with long loops of plaited hair reaching the shoulders, lavishly adorned with jewellery such as a headdress and armlets with three-pointed diadem design, large earrings and a bejewelled neckplate, rendered with a slender body with broad shoulders, the upper torse bare showing the graceful tautness of the figure, wearing a dhoti secured with a waist cloth which terminates in a bow affixed with a clasp in the form of a floral medallion, wood stand h. 37.8 cm, overall 41.9 cm