Antique Small Guanyin on a Radiating Lotus, China (16534MSK)

Description

Guanyin means “she who observes the sounds or cries of the world” and in Sanskrit she is named Padmapani or “born of the lotus.” As the Mahayana Buddhism Bodhisattva of Compassion she was the most popular and worshipped Buddhist figure in Pure Land Buddhism, the largest Chinese Buddhist sect and is one of the Three Great Chinese Goddesses (Irwin). During the Late Ming and Qing Dynasties in rural provincial regions and especially Southern China, she became a syncretic cult figure embraced by Taoism and Popular Religion devotees who placed local artisan crafted images of her on personal a home altar. These Guanyin images were were portrayed as modest wood statues with hooded robes, called White-Robed-Guanyin, representing the simplicity of the flow of life that nurtures all beings rather than from more precious materials such as bronze and marble. This enchanting Antique-Chinese-Wood-Carving depicts her seated on a radiating lotus throne (padmapitha) in meditation (dhyana mudra) as a humble, modest, relatable and accessible, yet beautiful matronly figure familiar to illiterate populations who enjoyed the many tales and legends about the exploits and deeds of their favorite bodhisattva. Despite expected cracks on head, front base, other minor cracks and chips and two pieces of rear base that were reattached long ago  this fine carving is in very good condition for its age and use retaining the original bright red and lacquer and traces of gilt highlights. This figurine is part of the VA Spiritual-and-Inspirational Collection of Buddhist-Statues.

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