Carved and Painted Wooden Seated Figure of Guanyin — Qing Dynasty, 19th Century

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Carved and Painted Wooden Seated Figure of Guanyin — Qing Dynasty, 19th Century or Earlier
Provenance: Private Collection, Orange County, … Read more Carved and Painted Wooden Seated Figure of Guanyin — Qing Dynasty, 19th Century or Earlier
Provenance: Private Collection, Orange County, California
Dimensions: 18.5" H x 11" W x 8" D

This finely carved and painted wooden figure depicts Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, seated in rajalalitasana (the posture of royal ease) atop a rocky pedestal. Executed with a serene, benevolent expression, the figure wears flowing robes that fall open at the chest to reveal an elaborately detailed necklace. The finely modeled face sits beneath a foliate tiara that encloses a small Amitabha Buddha, with the hair arranged in a tall chignon. Traces of original polychrome remain, enhancing the spiritual and aesthetic impact of the piece.

An aperture on the left side of the base suggests the sculpture may have originally been mounted to a temple altar or wall, supporting its likely use in a devotional setting. Such figures were often the central image in Buddhist temples, where Guanyin was worshipped for her power to intercede on behalf of believers, offering protection, mercy, and the promise of salvation.

Attributed to the Qing Dynasty (19th century, possibly earlier), the sculpture exhibits hallmarks of Buddhist art from northern China — particularly Shanxi Province, home to significant religious centers such as Taiyuan and Wutaishan. The fleshy modeling of the body, naturalistic face, and voluminous robes echo sculptural traditions from the Song to Ming periods. Related examples can be found in the collections of the Metropolitan Museum of Art (Accession No. 28.56) and the British Museum (Buddhism: Art and Faith, W. Zwalf, 1985, p.206).

This piece comes from a long-held private collection in Orange County, California, and is offered here for the first time on the open market.

Condition: Surface wear consistent with age; remnants of original polychrome present. A hole on the left side of the base likely indicates previous attachment to a temple structure. No visible modern restorations. Aged wood with natural cracking.

Provenance: Acquired from a private Southern California collector with a focus on early Chinese devotional art. See less