Chinese Carved and Painted Wood Sculpture of Guanyin

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Beautiful carving of Guanyin, shown standing on a rocky outcrop, mounted on a lobed wooden base. It was once used … Read more Beautiful carving of Guanyin, shown standing on a rocky outcrop, mounted on a lobed wooden base. It was once used as a lamp, and can be rewired. Nice faded painted surface.

Guanyin is the Buddhist bodhisattva associated with compassion. She was first given the appellation of "Goddess of Mercy" or the Mercy goddess by Jesuit missionaries in China. The Chinese name Guanyin is short for Guanshiyin, which means "The One Who Perceives the Sounds of the World."

Some Buddhists believe that when one of their adherents departs from this world, they are placed by Guanyin in the heart of a lotus, and then sent to the western Pure Land of Sukhavati. Guanyin is often referred to as the "most widely beloved Buddhist Divinity" with miraculous powers to assist all those who pray to her. See less