NARRATOR: An abundance of tin in the alloy lends a silvery sheen to this lean bronze figure from Thailand. Inlaid silver and glass animate the wide-set eyes. This Buddhist deity’s four hands once held his attributes, now lost. But he can be identified by the seated figure in front of his precisely rendered hairstyle. This small image of the Buddha Amitabhsa identifies the large figure as his spiritual offspring, the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara. Avalokiteshvara intercedes on behalf of mortals who pray to him, so that they may be forgiven their karmic debts and enter paradise. Atypically, this bodhisattva isn’t adorned with the ornaments of a prince, but appears more ascetic in nature. The modeling and type of garment help date it to the 8th century. This is the largest in an important cluster of early Thai bronzes unearthed in 1964. Modeled in a new and unknown style, the sculptures found near Prakhon Chai in Northeast Thailand opened a new chapter in the history of Southeast Asian art. Almost all were bronze bodhisattvas, although traditionally, Thailand was associated with Theravada Buddhism. Based on the historical Buddha’s teachings, Theravada deemphasizes intercessory figures like Avalokiteshvara.