Nanhai Guanyin of the Southern Seas on a Lotus, China (16376TSK) $675

Description

Nanhai Guanyin of the Southern Seas was one of the most popular Mahayana Pure Land manifestations of this Bodhisattva in the late Ming and Early Qing Dynasties. Traditionally seated on a symbolic craggy rock outcrop at the entrance to her cave on the small island of Putuo, it is renowned for its beauty, spirituality and natural wonders. As a a syncretic deity she has been merged into Buddhist, Taoist, Popular Folk Religion and even shamanist traditions to create new and ever evolving beliefs and myths. In this charming 18^th century provincial carving, she sits hands together in meditation and feet crossed in padmasana (lotus position) with bare soles turned up. Her sweet, smiling, joyous face is framed by the pendulous ears of an enlightened being and topped with a round crown with flowing ribbons.  As a protector of the sea, she is sometimes portrayed on seated on or above fish as here seated on a lotus above an emerging fish head and tail. The lotus  represents purity and the stem symbolizes Buddhist teachings which give rise to purity of mind. The open cavity in the back indicates she was consecrated by a monk and likely  placed on a home altar with other religious statues. Covered on all sides with gilt and red, she is in excellent condition and is mounted on a frosted acrylic base to bring compassion and good energy to and fit blend with any decor.