Antique White Hooded Guanyin in Royal Ease on Lotus Throne (16080LBE) SPECIAL PRICE

Description

This charming provincial statue is Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion of Pure Land Mahayana Buddhism, by far the largest Chinese Buddhist sect. Portrayed here as the White Hooded Guanyin one of her frequent portrayal in temples and home shrines worldwide, she sits in lalitsana, the position of royal ease with her right leg bent and up while her left leg laying flat on the base. Despite this, Guanyin clearly is not presented as regal. Wearing a simple three-part garment tied at the waist, she wears no jewelry and a plain hood is draped over and tied at the base of her bun and falls slightly over her shoulders. She leans slightly forward, but her face instead of serene and reflective is set in a gentle grin with half closed eyes and sweet smiling lips. She holds a scroll symbolizing the 8 Buddhist sutras where she is mentioned including the Lotus Sutra Chapter 25 which describes how she hears and rescues devotees from all kinds of suffering. The lotus throne she is on is used only for enlightened beings. One of the Eight Auspicious Buddhist Symbols, a lotus symbolizes purity, strength and enlightenment as it rises from the muck to open their unsoiled blooms toward the sun which is a Buddhist symbol of the flowering of the mind, potential of all beings and enlightenment. The original paint over a white base has been removed leaving only traces of red, green and, gilt extant. Its Chinese lacquer covering has naturally darkened over time and intensified by smoke from candles and incense offerings. Despite this, it is in excellent condition. The back cavity indicates it was consecrated by a monk and likely placed on a home alter.