Japanese Bronze Statue Nyoirin Kannon on Lotus Throne

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A small and fine Japanese bronze statue of Nyoirin Kannon circa 18th century of Edo period. Kannon is bodhisattva of … Read more A small and fine Japanese bronze statue of Nyoirin Kannon circa 18th century of Edo period. Kannon is bodhisattva of Mercy and Compassion (Avalokitesvara in Sanskrit and Guanyin in Chinese). The gilt bronze statue depicts one of the six variations of Kannon, knowns as Cintamanicakra in Sanskrit and Nyoirin Kannon in Japanese), sometimes known as the meditating Kannon. This variation was a wish-fulfilling form of the deity and was popular among the female worshippers.
Cast in one piece, the statue depicts the goddess posing in the iconic royal ease position on a double-lotus throne which symbolizes the Kannon's heavenly adobe. Dressed in robes with flowing ribbons, the bejeweled goddess dons a high chignon surrounded by a tiara-style crown known as Hokan in Japanese, on which a small Buddha was found in the center. The goddess has her left leg tucked flat on the pedestal and right leg half-folded to support her right arm. Her right hand nearly touched her face, suggesting a status of deep meditation. Her left hand raised to the chest level in mudra. The surface of the statue was gilt in a deep gold color, much of which still remains. The base of the statue is no longer sealed, revealing the patinated interior.
Nyoirin Kannon with two to four arms was a popular subject in Japanese Buddhism art and found in both paintings and sculptures. The small size of the statue makes it easily portable and suggests that it might be a personal worshipping item dedicated for private praying.
For other examples of bronze Nyoirin Statues, see item 2013.29.50 in the collection of Minneapolis Institute of Art.
A two-arm Nyoirin Kanon of gilt wood is in the collection of Metropolitain Musuem of Art in New York (56.39). See less