Antique Guanyin, Dhyani Buddhas in Crown, China (16123BLEM)

Description

Irvin calls Guanyin one of the Great Chinese Goddesses who are all imperially sanctioned and epitomize the feminine role of compassionate protectors who grant health, long life and safety to all regardless of their social position. Each has large temples, monasteries and small local shrines dedicated to them. This provincial antique-Chinese-wood-carving of Guanyin depicts a gender neutral figure seated on a plain detachable pedestal in meditation (dhyana) with gently carved fingers touching in her lap seated on a detached pedestal. The delicate carved and painted face is idealized but also displays uncharacteristically humanized facial features and is set in a gentle sweet smile with pursed lips and surrounded by prominent pendulous ears. This modest, human and relatable treatment reflects its provincial origins by a local artisan. The crown is set with the Five Dyhani-Buddhas of Tantric-Buddhism, with Vairocana, Amoghsiddhi, Ratnasambhava, and Akhshobhya) each deeply carved and placed in a pointed bordered lobe on either side of a centered Amitabha-Buddha of Eternal Life. As traditional, they are similar images with folded legs in meditation seated on a stylized throne (padmapitha) wearing monks- robes. Garbed in a modest provincial three part open robe tied at the waist, the carver highlighted the front and back of it with curved leaves that swirl in a circular pattern on the legs set in padmasana under the robe. This piece is an outstanding syncretic image drawing on various Buddhist sects. This antique-Chinese-wood-carving is a magnificent example of provincial Buddhist-statues. It is in excellent condition with expected age cracks and much original pigmentation extant, although the face, chest, and hands may have repainted long ago as part of its normal upkeep in a temple or home shrine. It is part of the VA Spiritual-and-Inspirational Collection of Buddhist-Art.

Source:
Lee Irwin, “Divinity and Salvation: The Great Goddesses of China,” in Asian Folklore Studies, Indiana University, Vol. 49, 1990, pp 53-68.