East Asia, China, Qing Dynasty, ca. 19th century CE. A wonderful wooden sculpture of a bodhisattva, perhaps Avalokiteshvara or Guanyin in Chinese Buddhism, enveloped in gesso and pigments. Seated in lotus position, the majestic deity is holding a bottle in his left hand and his right arm bent at the elbow with the palm upward, possibly in a mudra. His serene visage is comprised of downcast eyes, arched brows flanking an urna, full, closed lips, and a prominent moustache, all surmounted by a long hair tied in a topknot and a figural tiara of Amitabha, the principal Buddha in Pure Land Buddhism. Long chains of necklaces fall down his flat chest as cascading drapery covers his lower body. Size: 11.5″ L x 19.5″ W x 23″ H (29.2 cm x 49.5 cm x 58.4 cm)
Bodhisattvas are among the most compassionate beings in the universe, devoting themselves to saving the suffering and helping others achieve enlightenment and Buddhahood. Traditionally depicted as less austere than Buddhas with graceful postures and elegant garments, a nod to the riches of the Northwestern Chinese Silk Road, this piece is no exception. Bodhisattvas or Guanyin are associated with compassion and mercy – their long ears significant, because they rescues all human beings by hearing their cries for help and the sounds of suffering.
Condition: Chipping to periphery of base and some areas of loss to gesso and pigments. Stable hairline surface fissure to top bun and some light surface wear as shown. Otherwise, intact and excellent with great detail.
Provenance: private New York, New York, USA collection; ex-New York City, New York, USA collection
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