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Antique Guanyin in Royal Ease (Lalitsana), China, (16910BOE) $515 SPECIAL PRICE

Original price was: $525.00.Current price is: $425.00.

Ht: 10.75″  W: 5.5″  D: 4.5″ | FREE SHIPPING in continental u.s.!

This  lacquer woodcarving is a Guanyin manifestation called “white hooded,”  “white clad” or “white robed” Guanyin derived from the many paintings where she is clad in white. Although wood carvings usually portray her clothed in red, this finely carved version is covered in a lacquer coat that darkens naturally over time and darkens even more when honored on a home altar with daily prayers and offerings of smoky candles and burning incense.

Description

During the Ming and Qing dynasties, artists created small scale icons of Bodhisattva Guanyin and other deities for private use on a home altar and in local temples and shrines. While more sanctioned images and those made for wealthier devotees were created in porcelain, jade, bronze and ivory, those created for Popular Folk Religion, Taoist devotees and those of few means were often crafted using soft stone and wood. Although a Mahayana Buddhist deity, Guanyin was also fully embraced by Taoists and Popular Folk Religion devotees, especially when depicted in certain popular manifestations. In some instances, popular myths and depictions became  official and sanctioned. Although she had 33 manifestations, during the Ming and Qing dynasties one of the most popular depictions was called “white robed” Guanyin portraying her especially in painting as a simple image draped in white, her head covered in a hood-like garment to represent her beauty and compassion. Here, she is portrayed in lalitsana, the Pose of Royal Ease often associated with her and symbolizing a regal personage, who presides over the material world and its possessions as well as the spiritual world. This position where one leg is folded and the other pendant with the arm graciously held on the bent knee, is reserved only for Buddhas, bodhisattvas and other regal personages. Her hands are in karana mudra, the gesture to expel evil, remove problems and rid sickness or other negativities. It is done with the thumb holding the two center fingers and the index and pinky fingers pointing straight outward. A finely carved piece, it is simple yet detailed with beautiful cloth  folds as she sits on a beautifully carved lotus atop a low, parenthesis-shaped footed pedestal. Mounted on a frosted Acrylic stand, it work with any decor.

 

Additional information

Weight 5 lbs
Dimensions 14 × 10 × 6 in
Place of Origin

China

Period

Antique, Qing Dynasty

Date

18-19th Century

Materials and Technique

Wood

Dimensions (inches)

Ht: 10.75” W: 5.5” D: 4.5”

Dimensions (metric)

Ht: 27.3cm W: 13.97cm D: 10.16cm

Weight

2lbs

Condition

Excellent, age appropriate signs of wear

Shipping Box Size