Antique Nanhai Guanyin of the Southern Seas, China #16555BCK

Description

This small antique carving is Nanhai Guanyin (Guanyin of the Southern Seas) who became a cult figure during the late Ming and Qing dynasties in rural provincial regions, especially Southern China. She is worshiped in Mahayana Pure Land Buddhism, Taoism and Popular Religion. Guanyin is one of the Great Chinese Goddesses who were imperially sanctioned and worked for the salvation of all beings.The local artisan took liberties in the iconography, portrayal and attributes depicted. It is carved wood rather than more precious materials. She sits on a two tiered lotus throne (padmapitha) on an open lotus at the entrance to her Tidal Cave  on Putuo Island under a craggy rock outcrop framed by a separately carved backdrop arch of pierced openwork which was detached and later affixed with a nail. She sits with her palms together at her heart in anjali mudra, a very rarely used mudra for Nanhai Guanyin. Although she has a five-lobed crown indicating her regal status as a bodhisattva, her features and attire are modestly presented to reflect local beliefs to resonate with rural people.  Small figurines like this were placed on a home altar and revered by females who viewed her as a protective deity and honored them with regular offerings of food, fruits, vegetables and tea as it was sacrilegious to offer meat or wine. According to feng shui, Guanyin statues should be placed in the center of the home to bring blessings to the entire home. The piece was red and covered with lacquer but is now blackened with age and smoke from candle and incense offerings. 

Click here for the Blog The Emergence of Nanhai Guanyin.

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