Ming/Qing Carved Guanyin with a Child, China, (5301)

Description

This beautiful and touching Ming/Qing carving of Guanyin is a rare depiction in carved Buddhist statues. According to the Lotus Sutra, Guanyin has 33 manifestations or forms, one of which is Songzi or Child Giving Guanyin. This form originated in the 16^th century and continued through the Qing dynasty based on the influence of Portuguese missionaries to China who brought with them images of Virgin Mary and the Baby Jesus which were then adapted into images of Guanyin holding a child. In Songzi images she sits holding the baby in her lap or in her arms.  Although there are standing images of Guanyin holding a baby, the child here is older and standing.

The unique piece is hand-carved from solid wood  and the flowing drapery lines and fine carving exhibit the skill of a dedicated workshop or temple artisan. As a Popular Religion carving by a provincial talented artisan, it departs from imperially sanctioned images in form, iconography and style. The carved platform base is very high, showing her importance but her demean and head piece are modest and humble. She glances down at the child with tenderness while he looks up for assurance and protection. Most of the original red, gilt and lacquer coating remains on front and back and is in excellent condition with expected cracks and wood and paint losses.  The back cavity indicates it was consecrated by a Buddhist monk in an eye-opening-ceremony and placed on a home altar or shrine for personal devotion. The understated serenity of this item exudes comfort and peace to its surroundings.

Mounted on a stand, this statue was featured in a Vanishingarts.gallery Instagram post.

AI Market Valuation Summary

AI rates this piece as Collector Quality for the following reasons:

This antique piece is an authentic provincial “popular religion” carving made by a local artisan representing genuine regional devotional practices. It displays rare iconography – rather than the Songzi Guanyin seated with a child in her lap, she stands extending her arm to a male child. Because it reflects traditional desires for fertility and family legacy and has a consecration cavity in the back, it holds elevated cultural and historical interest for collectors.  This oversized provincial carving with vibrant red pigment and gilded lacquer surfaces across the front and back it as a strong physical and decorative presence favored by collectors of Asian

Click here for Consecrating Wooden Images to Imbue Them with A Life Force.