Monumental Antique Ming Dynasty Carved Guanyin Buddhist Temple Sculpture

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Description

A life size antique Asian temple carved polychromed and stuccoed wooden head of Bodhisattva Guanyin.

Likely Ming dynasty (1368-1644), Chinese … Read more A life size antique Asian temple carved polychromed and stuccoed wooden head of Bodhisattva Guanyin.

Likely Ming dynasty (1368-1644), Chinese architectural temple or monastery ornament, this superb rendition features a very large and solid wood Guanyin head layered with remnants of original various colored pigments throughout with nicely aged worn patina.

Stylized naturalistic form, showing an empathetic expression of compassion, having elongated earlobes so that the Guanyin can hear and reply to the suffering of all, the eyes with a soft down-cast gaze, baihao forehead dot, masculine nose, feminine puckered lips, wavy hair tied high with an elaborately sculpted scrolled headdress, secured by a ruyi style crown.

Dimensions: (approx)
24" High, 10" Wide, 11" Deep, 16.75lbs

Beautifully aged patina over the whole, age appropriate wear, weathered, distressed, chippy paint with finish losses and outstanding craquelure, adding to the rich character and artistic depth. Structurally sound, the finish worn over the centuries but a well preserved specimen overall.A life size antique Asian hand carved polychromed and stuccoed wooden sculpture depicting the head of Bodhisattva Guanyin.

Likely late Ming dynasty (1368-1644), Chinese architectural temple ornament - Buddhist monastery figure. This superb rendition features a very large solid wood Guanyin head layered with original remnants of various colored pigments throughout, with nicely aged patina with outstanding craquelure.

Stylized naturalistic form, showing an empathetic expression of compassion, having elongated earlobes so that the Guanyin can hear and reply to the suffering of all, the eyes with a soft down-cast gaze, baihao forehead dot, masculine nose, feminine puckered lips, wavy hair tied high with an elaborately sculpted scrolled headdress, secured by a ruyi style crown.
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Dimensions: (approx)
24" High, 10" Wide, 11" Deep, 16.75lbs
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About:
In Buddhism, Avalokiteśvara, also known as Avalokitasvara, is a bodhisattva who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas.

He has 108 avatars, one notable avatar being Padmapāṇi. He is variably depicted, described, and portrayed in various cultures as either male or female. In Chinese Buddhism, he has evolved into the female form called Guanshiyin.

Guanyin (simplified Chinese: 观音; traditional Chinese: 觀音; is a Bodhisattva associated with compassion. She is the East Asian representation of Avalokiteśvara and has been adopted by other Eastern religions including Chinese folk religion. She was first given the appellation of "Goddess of Mercy" or "Mercy Goddess" by Jesuit missionaries in China. 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 Sukhāvatī. Guanyin is often referred to as the "most widely beloved Buddhist Divinity" with miraculous powers to assist all those who pray to her, as is mentioned in the Pumen chapter of Lotus Sutra and Kāraṇḍavyūha Sūtra.

Several large temples in East Asia are dedicated to Guanyin including Shaolin Monastery, Longxing Temple, Puning Temple, Nanhai Guanyin Temple, Dharma Drum Mountain, Kwan Im Thong Hood Cho Temple, Shitennō-ji, Sensō-ji, Kiyomizu-dera, Sanjūsangen-dō, and many others. Guanyin's abode and bodhimaṇḍa in India is recorded as being on Mount Potalaka. With the localization of the belief in Guanyin, each area adopted their own Potalaka. In Chinese Buddhism, Mount Putuo is considered the bodhimaṇḍa of Guanyin. Naksansa is considered to be the Potalaka of Guanyin in Korea. Japan's Potalaka is located at Fudarakusan-ji. Tibet's Potalaka is the Potala Palace.

There are several pilgrimage centers for Guanyin in East Asia. A most important cultural icon, Putuoshan is the main pilgrimage site in China. There is a 33 temple Guanyin pilgrimage in Korea which includes Naksansa. In Japan, there are several pilgrimages associated with Guanyin. The oldest one of them is the Saigoku Kannon Pilgrimage, a pilgrimage through 33 temples with Guanyin shrines. Guanyin is beloved by most Buddhist traditions in a nondenominational way and found in most Tibetan temples under the name Chenrézik (Wylie: Spyan ras gzigs). Guanyin is also beloved and worshipped in the temples in Nepal. The Hiranya Varna Mahavihar located in Patan is one example. Guanyin is also found in some influential Theravada temples such as Gangaramaya Temple, Kelaniya and Natha Devale nearby Temple of the Tooth in Sri Lanka; Guanyin can also be found in Thailand's Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Wat Huay Pla Kang (where the huge statue of her is often mistakenly called the "Big Buddha") and Burma's Shwedagon Pagoda. Statues of Guanyin are a widely depicted subject of Asian art and found in the Asian art sections of most museums in the world.
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Placed on a console table, sideboard, fireplace mantel, large shelf, or showcased atop a pedestal stand, this remarkable religious folk art work - architectural salvaged building element is sure to get a lot of attention and become the focal point of any room, while quickly adding essential design elements of texture, color, unusual shape, sculptural form, value, as well as rich cultural interest, conversational intrigue, and a memorable experience to your space!

Condition:
Excellent original antique condition. Museum quality.

Presents splendidly, with warm, rustic, beautifully aged patina over the whole. Enhanced by highly desirable age appropriate wear, weathered, organically distressed finish, chippy paint losses and crackling finish, that does not detract from the display, but only adds to the sophisticated antique character, authenticity, classic elegant warmth, and rich artistic depth that can only be acquired over very long periods of time.

Structurally sound, the finish worn over the centuries but a very well preserved museum quality specimen overall. See less