Nanhai Guanyin

Nanhai Guanyin of the Southern Seas is one of the more popular depictions of Guanyin, especially during the Ming and Qing Dynasties, where she sits in the Cave of the Tidal Sound on Mount Putuo an island in the East China Sea. She is often seated in lalitsana wearing a white hood below an arch of openwork draped moss and barbed rocks, a vial and parrot at her side, arm resting on an outcrop holding scrolls of the Dharma, the Lotus Sutra or other sutras. Sometimes she is accompanied by her attendants the Dragon Princess (Longnü) on her right and the Pilgrim Shan Tsai (Sudhana in Sanskrit) on her left. Many symbols associated with her are in the Chinese opera “heavenly Maiden Sprinkles Flowers”:

Puto Palace
Full-mooned face of Kuan-yin
Shan Tsai and Longnu stand on either side
White parrot
Pure vase (vial)
Water of sweet dew and willow
Universally saving mankind from suffering.

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  • Antique Nanhai Guanyin of the Southern Seas, China (19414BLK) $750

    $750.00
    H: 9.5” Dia: 4.25″ | FREE SHIPPING!

    This charming extremely well-modeled carving depicts a White Robed Nanhai Guanyin in her Cave on Mount Putuo seated on an open lotus in lalitsana below an arch of draped moss . Nanhai Guanyin was massively popular in the Ming/Qing dynasties when provincial wood images were made for home altars throughout China. She holds a scroll representing Buddhist teachings accompanied by a vial with the tears of humanity and a parrot, her constant companion.  Small home shrine Nanhai images with all these symbols are rare.

     

  • Antique Nanhai Guanyin with Attendants and Donor, China (16218BHEM) $5900

    $5,900.00
     H: 34″    W: 12 ”    D: 15 ” SHIPPING INFORMATION REQUIRED. CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    Guanyin clearly dominates this majestic carving, in meditation and wearing  an ornate high  blue crown centered with an Amitabha Buddha in a deep arched border and her  traditional three-part robe  extending to her pedestal throne topped by flat lotus leaves.This remarkable carving Nanhai-Guanyin  is extremely rare, unique and difficult to interpret. We have never seen a Guanyin in her cave at Putuo surrounded by with two sets of attendants, her acolytes Shan Tsai  and the Dragon Princess Longnu and a seated Taoist official/ priest or possible the donor at the apex.  This was clearly commissioned by a very wealthy donor who wished to make a spiritual statement while emphasizing his reverence and status.

     

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  • Antique Nanhai Guanyin with Aureole and Acolytes, China (16428LMK) $795

    $720.00
    H: 22.25”  W: 7.25 ”  D: 5” | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    Nanhai Guanyin sits in meditation on a pedestal framed by a large mandorla with her two acolytes (one deteriorated) with a benign expression with half-closed eyes, pursed smiling lips, pendulous ears, and a crown with an image of Buddha Amitabha. Most Buddhist carvings suffered severe damage during China’s modernization and antique Guanyin images with her attendants are very rare.

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  • Antique Wood Nanhai Guanyin of the South Sea, China (19508BME) $595

    $595.00
    H: 9.75″  W: 5″  D: 4.5″ | FREE SHIPPING!

    This enchanting carving depicts Nanhai Guanyin in her Cave on Mount Putuo seated in lalitsana, below a symbolic arch of draped moss with bright pigmentation and considerable gilt. Nanhai Guanyin was massively popular during the Ming/Qing dynasties and provincial wood images were made home altars throughout China. She holds scrolls representing the dharma and sutras, behind her is a vial with the tears of her humanity and parrot, her constant companion. Small Nanhai images with all these symbols in this  condition are very rare.

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

    $675.00
    H: 10″  W: 5.5″ D:  4.5″ |  FREE SHIPPING IN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This charming 18th century provincial Guanyin of the Southern Seas sits in her cave on Putuo Island in meditation on a lotus and smiling joyously.   As a protector of the sea, she is seated on an open lotus above a fish with his head and tail emerging from the water. The lotus represents purity and the stem symbolizes Buddhist teachings which give rise to purity of mind and enlightenment.

  • SOLD Antique Nanhai Guanyin of the Southern Seas with Vial and Parrot, China (16059XCKE) $1195

    $1,195.00
    H: 17.25”  W: 9”  D: 5” | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    This remarkable spiritual work combines characteristics of provincially rendered carvings with imperially sanctioned images of Nanhai Guanyin. She sits in meditation on a backless throne on a stylized rocky outcrop flanked by twisting vertical structures holding her vial and white parrot. Her half-closed eyes glance down serenely under painted arched eyebrows. She wears an arched crown over hair looped over her ears and down her shoulders and flowing gold robes bordered in red in contrast to the flesh tones of the face, chest, and hands. Much of the pigmentation and gilt on this artfully rendered image remains. Surviving depictions of her with the vial and the filial parrot in good condition are relatively rare.

     

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