Antique Guanyin with Amitabha in Crown, China (16380B-LOK) SPECIAL PRICE

Description

Guanyin, the most beloved deity in the Mahayana Buddhism, embodies compassion and loving-kindness and hears the cries of all beings. During the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, Guanyin statues were commissioned by provincial artisans for a home altar that were humble and more relatable to the rural devotees as in this statue where she is modestly dressed in a  three-part robe seated on a backless chair. This antique-Chinese-carving is a matronly figure, with pendulous ears, in meditation (dhyana) symbolizing the attainment of spiritual perfection and legs in padmasana covered by her robes.  Her close connection with her spiritual father Amitabha Buddha of Infinite Light is shown by having him seated on a waisted lotus throne (padmapita) surrounded by an aureole with the flames of his eternal light in her crown, an iconographic symbol that distinguishes Guanyin in Pure Land Buddhism.  As written in the Pure Land Sutra, if upon death a person calls the name of Amitabha with unswerving faith and concentration, Guanyin as the “Bodhisattva Guide of the Souls“ will lead him/her to the Western Paradise aka the Western Pure Land (Sukhavati). She is a syncretic deity and one of the Great Chinese Goddesses who are all imperially sanctioned and epitomize the feminine role of compassionate protectors who grant health, long life and safety to all regardless of their social position. Each has large temples, monasteries and small local shrines dedicated to them. Much of the burgundy and red polychrome, gilt and lacquer which covered the piece has been worn by years of use, but it is retains its simple beauty, elegance, and warmth. It is in very good condition for its age and use.The back cavity is has its original bung containing objects placed there when it was consecrated. It is mounted on a modern uniquely crafted hand finished frosted Acrylic base.

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