Antique Guanyin with Lobed Crown, China (16744WHK) $395 SPECIAL PRICE

Description

During the Ming and early Qing dynasties small wood statues of Guanyin were carved by provincial artisans to be placed on a home altar along with other Taoist, Popular Religion and  Buddhist statues venerated by rural and less affluent families, especially female devotees. Made of wood, they were modest and reflected the purity of nature. In this delicate antique-Chinese-wood-carving carved she sits in dhyana (meditation) mudra and feet in padmasana (lotus position), heels facing up. Her oval head is bent in serene peacefulness with a prominent chin and cheekbones, curving pursed lips, and half closed almond-shaped eyes. The hair, arranged in a tall bun, curves down the back behind a tall three-lobed crown with flaring triangles decorated with deep-grooved crosshatches. The large pendulous lobes and decorated crown indicate her regal status as an enlightened Bodhisattva. The unusually high forehead and oversized head help the viewer concentrate on her beautifully formed, quiet and calm face as a model of inner peace and serenity to which all Buddhists strive. Masterful yet simple, this image brings quiet energy to its surroundings. The sculpture has a darkened hue from centuries of smoke from incense and candles, but also has traces of the original red pigment and gilt. The rear cavity which is unusually long indicate it was consecrated in an eye-opening ceremony by a monk and placed on a home altar.  The losses in pigment are consistent with age, and the statue otherwise is in very good condition. As one of the Great Chinese Goddesses, Guanyin is the most worshipped and provides comfort and compassion to all sentient beings irregardless of their social status and serves as a model to which all devotees should strive.

Click Here for Consecrating Wood Images Blog.

Sources:

BuddhaNet, Popular Deities in Chinese Buddhism,

Circle of Light, Kuan Yin Avalokiteshvara, circle of light.com