Antique Wood Nanhai Guanyin of the South Sea, China #19508BME

Description

This Ming/Qing Nanhai Guanyin sits on a round pedestal rock at her Cave on Mount Putuo represented by arched overhead covering and indentations symbolizing the cave’s bottom. Seated in lalitsana (royal ease), her right leg drawn up with relaxed arm and hand resting on it.  Her left arm holds a scroll symbolizing the dharma or Lotus Sutra which describes Guanyin’s magnificence. The parrot on her right symbolizes piety. The Pure Land is home to parrots who help those who have achieved rebirth in the Western Paradise. On her left is a vial with amitra, the precious dew of compassion, healing and immortality she uses to bless all beings. She is held up by five lotuses – the middle fully open, 2 sides partially open and farthest ones symbolizing enlightenment and potential for devotees to reach enlightenment. Her oval face is cast forward with downcast eyes in  contemplation. As a Great Chinese Goddesses (Irvin), Guanyin is worshipped by Buddhist, Taoists, and Popular Religion devotees.  This provincial image was made for a home altar with some remaining gilt and pigmentation and is in very good condition for its age and use although there are losses to the surface and the vial and parrot were re-applied later.

Source:
Lee Irwin, “Divinity and Salvation: The Great Goddesses of China,” in Asian Folklore Studies, Indiana University, Vol. 49, 1990, pp 53-68.