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, the largest Chinese Buddhist sect by far. She is portrayed here as the White Hooded Guanyin one of her 33 manifestations introduced during the 10^th century in the Song Dynasty which has since become her most frequent portrayal in temples and home shrines worldwide. Song artistic renderings reflected the diminished power and influence of the aristocratic upper class of the previous Tang dynasty and the rise of the commoner class resulting from China’s massive expansion of commercial, political and cultural influence. Song images showed her as in this 19^th century image as a humble almost motherly figure dressed in the traditional white hooded garments worn by women of the time. Although she sits in lalitsana, the position of royal ease with her right leg bent and up while her left leg lays flat on the base, tucked under her robe behind her right foot, she clearly is not regal. She wears a simple three-part garment tied at the waist, no stylized jewelry and a plain hood draped over and tied at the base of her bun that drapes slightly over her shoulders. Her head leans slightly forward in a Bodhisattva pose, but her face instead of serene and contemplative is set in an amused, gentle grin with half closed eyes and sweet smiling lips. She holds a scroll in her left hand symbolizing the eight Buddhist sutras in which she is mentioned including the Lotus Sutra Chapter 25 which describes how she hears and rescues devotees from all types of suffering. She sits on a lotus throne, the most common throne for peaceful and serene deities that is used only for enlightened beings. Lotuses are one of the Eight Auspicious Buddhist Symbols and symbolize purity, strength and rebirth as they rise from the mud to open their unsoiled blooms each morning and return to the murky water each evening. Symbolizing the flowering of the mind and unfolding potential of all beings, some claim they represent the origin of all life which is the mother’s lap. The original red, green, gilt paint over a white base have been removed leaving only traces still visible. Its dark Chinese lacquer covering has naturally darkened over time intensified by the smoke from candles and incense offerings. Despite these changes it is in excellent condition. The back cavity indicates it was consecrated by a monk and was probably placed on a home alter.