Chinese Blanc De Chine Figure of Guanyin, Kangxi (1662-1772)

Ref: W516

£ 750

Price is subject to availability and market conditions.

Chinese blanc de chine figure of Guanyin, Kangxi (1662-1772), the bodhisattva standing barefooted on a rock amongst waves, her flowing robes parting at the neck to reveal a beaded necklace in the form of a lotus, hair worn in a tall chignon covered in a cowl and adorned with a tiara, with elongated earlobes and a serene expression.

Dimensions:

Height: 43.5cm. (17 1/8in.)

Condition:

Lacks left hand and missing tops of fingers and thumb on right hand, frits to edge of veil

Notes:

Guanyin is the Chinese manifestation of the Buddhist bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, who was first worshipped in India before being adopted in various locations across Asia, including China from around the first century BC. The Chinese name ‘Guanyin’ is an abbreviation of ‘Guanshiyin’ ([The One Who] Perceives the Sounds of the World). The deity represents the mortal Buddha of compassion and mercy; the individual beads of the necklace worn by this particular example represent Guanyin’s calls upon Buddha to relieve the misery of living beings. This figure was made in the Dehua kilns in the Southeastern province of Fujian, where local raw materials enabled the production of this highly prized creamy-white, translucent porcelain known as blanc de chine.