Rare Antique Guanyin Wearing Crown with Five Dyhani Buddhas, China (16557BAK) $695

Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion in Mahayana and Pure Land Buddhism has 33 manifestations, each who hears the cries of humanity and delivers them from suffering or desire through her compassion, wisdom and skill. Her images are always gentle, calm and sweet, reflecting her compassion, wisdom, serenity and love that calms those who are angry or in despair, comforts the sorrowful and elicits feelings of love, devotion, peace and contentment. Followers becomes the faithful simply by practicing the virtues she embodies:  kindliness, gentleness, love, mercy, compassion, charity, morality, and perseverance as well as contemplation of and acting to benefit others.  Here she is seated in meditation (dhyana) on a double tiered lotus throne (padmapita) with the hands in her lap the palms facing upwards, the fingers extended and legs in padmasana, bare feet placed upward atop the opposing thighs. The modest simple elegant antique-Chinese-wood-carving with plain robes, the absence of highly stylized decorative details, simple mostly unadorned base and humble demeanor was done by a provincial artisan far from the center of imperial rules and rigidity presents a calm and serene human figure with beautifully rendered facial details. She wears a five-lobed crown containing the five Dhyani Buddhas, the Five-Wisdom Buddhas of Vajrayana (Tantric) Buddhism (very rare for China0 and centered by a lobe with carved rays of light indicating the Amitabha Buddha, the Buddha of Infinite Light. Guanyin is one of the Great Chinese Goddesses who epitomize the feminine role of compassionate protectors, grant health, long life and safety to all devotees regardless of their rank or status and she is embraced by Buddhist, Taoist and Popular Religion devotees. The sealed bung on the rear cavity indicates it was consecrated. Most of the paint and lacquer is gone leaving  traces of red, white, and flesh color morphing to beige on the face and the remaining lacquer has naturally darkened over time . It is in very good condition with expected chips, cracks and paint losses. Small Guanyin images made by provincial artisans were extremely popular in the Ming and Qing Dynasties and used on a home altar along with Taoist and Popular Religion statues. It is mounted on a modern uniquely crafted hand finished frosted Acrylic base.