Late 19th Century Chinese DeHua Porcelain Seated Kuan Yin on a Dragon Throne

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Chinese DeHua porcelain Kuan Yin seated on a dragon formed ocean waves throne, roiling ocean waves formed into a throne … Read more Chinese DeHua porcelain Kuan Yin seated on a dragon formed ocean waves throne, roiling ocean waves formed into a throne by a coiled water dragon holding the flaming pearl of wisdom below Kuan Yin's right knee, the dragon's body formed as an octopus tentacle. Kuan Yin's right and left hand in Karana mudra, her left hand also holding a Ru Yi sceptre. Clothed in a flowing robe with a necklace and the crown of Amitabha, with arm and wrist bracelets, her left foot resting on a lotus flower, with a flaming Mandorla behind her head and a coiffure of ornaments and long coiled braids. Ocean waves support her back. Exquisite fine realistic detail through out, down to Kuan Yin's fingernails. Impressed He Chaozong and DeHua mark on the back. Circa late 19th century, no later than early 20th.

note: dragon and ocean imagery also conflated with Cihang Zhenren and the nineteenth day of the Lychee Moon (Lunar Sixth Month). This was the day Cihang Zhenren subjugated Ningbo Xianzi (a sea spirit that caused maritime disasters) and successfully gained enlightenment. Cihang Zhenren (Compassion Travel/Navigate True-Person/Perfected-Person') is a Daoist zhenren "Perfected Person" who is identified with the Buddhist bodhisattva Kuan Yin. Cihang Zhenren supposedly originated as a Daoist xian "transcendent; immortal" and became a bodhisattva because of his endless willingness and effort in helping those in need. It is said that the Immortal Cihang Zhenren can appear in the human realm in 32 different human forms, some of which are male, others female. See less