Antique Red Lacquer and Gilt Nanhai Guanyin #16302BEME

Description

This exceptional carving is Nanhai Guanyin of the Southern Seas, one her most portrayed manifestations during the Ming and early Qing dynasties. Her pedestal with hanging foliage and base in the form of stones symbolizes  her rocky outcrop on Putuo island in the South China Sea where she resides and is a renowned pilgrimage site  She is in meditation, her exquisitely carved hands in her lap. Her half-closed eyes, highlighted by the gilt on her face, glance down serenely with a slight smile on her lips. Characteristic of Guanyin images during the Qing she has a full and mature face framed by  frames hair looping over her pendulous ears, extending in plaits down her shoulders and piled in a top chignon, symbolizing that with her spiritual and physical beauty she presides over both the sacred and material world. Her elaborate scalloped diadem is centered by the seated Buddha Amitabha, the Buddha of Infinite Light. This elaborate crown with a beaded lower border bestows a divine and solemn quality to the image and reflects her role as Amitabha’s principal attendant. This extraordinary Guanyin is unique and rare because its red lacquer and gilt crown is similar to a huge ancient Indian statue with a similar shaped crown with Amitayus ( Amitabha Buddha) described in the Sutra of Contemplation on Buddha Amitayus as a high heavenly crown made with pearls resting atop Guanyin’s head. The front and sides of the crown contain red lacquer circular beads to depict a row of 19 small pearls on the bottom and each of the crown’s five lobes also have larger “lacquer pearls.” It is in excellent condition for its age with expected surface flaking and fading, and old insect damage mainly on the back.