1930s Chinese Porcelain Buddhist Temple Plaque

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Chinese framed porcelain Buddhist temple plaque, Kuan Yin with Buddhist symbols, seated on a finely detailed, lotus throne with an … Read more Chinese framed porcelain Buddhist temple plaque, Kuan Yin with Buddhist symbols, seated on a finely detailed, lotus throne with an ornate mandorla and halo, wearing the crown of Amitabha Buddha, among stylized Xiangyun (auspicious clouds) in the heavens, all in finely carved, gilt line drawing on a deep, blue glazed background. The signature of the artist, "Minister Ding Guanpeng, with two small seal marks, is found at the lower right of the image. Three larger seal marks are seen at the top of the image. The plaque is mounted in its original, finely carved, Chinese, heavy, hongmu frame with fine joinery, removable back and original bronze hanger. Circa, Republic of China Era.

Kuan Yin's left hand holds the Royal emblem, the Sacred Vase (Chinese: 寶瓶, Bao Ping) with the divine nectar of life, symbolizing longevity, abundance and prosperity.

Kuan Yin's right hand holds a willow branch used for sprinkling the divine nectar of life upon the devotees to bless them with physical and spiritual peace. The willow branch is also a symbol of being able to bend (or adapt) but not break.

Xiangyun: Cloud motifs are rooted in the agrarian culture of the Chinese people. Clouds are associated with good luck as the cloud makes rain which moisten all things, and therefore, it brings good fortune to people. In the Chinese language, clouds are called yun (云; 雲; yún) which is a homonym for the Chinese character yun "good fortune" (运; 運; yùn). In Chinese culture, clouds (especially the five-coloured clouds) are perceived as an auspicious sign (e.g. an omen of peace,  a symbol of Heaven, and the expression of the Will of Heaven. They also symbolize happiness and good luck. Early in its history, clouds were often perceived under a ritual or liturgical lens where xiangyun were oftentimes associated with the presence of deities and were considered a good omen indicating the arrival of good fortune.
In Chinese mythologies, mythological creatures and deities use clouds as their mount. Clouds were also closely associated with the Chinese immortals (called xian) and their residence on Mount Penglai. See less