Antique Carving of Guanyin with a Child, China (5301HEM ) $2,250

Description

This beautiful and touching antique-Chinese-wood-carving of Guanyin the Bodhisattva of Compassion is an extremely rare depiction seldom seen in carved Buddhist-statues. According to the Lotus Sutra, Guanyin has 33 manifestations or forms, one of which is Songzi Guanyin or Child Giving Guanyin. This form originated in the 16^th century and continued through the Qing dynasty and was based on the influence of Portuguese missionaries to China who brought with them images of Virgin Mary and the Baby Jesus which were adapted into images of Guanyin holding a child. In Songzi images she is seated holding the baby Buddha on a knee, in her lap or in her arms.  Although there are standing images of Guanyin holding a child, those images portray her without a standing figure. This unique image is a Popular Religion carving by a provincial artisan, who departed from imperially sanctioned images in form, iconography and style. It is likely Guanyin with the pendulous ears of an enlightened being, down cast half closed eyes and a crown like headpiece but is depicted as humble, engaging and modestly clad. She holds glances down at the child with compassion and tenderness while he looks up for assurance and protection. She retains most of the original red, gilt and lacquer coating on front and back and is in excellent and condition for its age and use with expected cracks and wood and paint losses.  The back cavity indicating it was consecrated by a Buddhist monk in an eye-opening-ceremony and placed on a home altar or shrine for personal devotion.