Fragment of a Chinese Seated Marble Figure of Guanyin
£ 150.00
A Chinese white marble finely sculpted seated figure of Guanyin, dating to the Chinese Sui-Tang Dynasty. Guanyin is the Chinese translation of the bodhisattva known as Avalokiteśvara. The headless figure appears seated and arms and hands, one missing, are arranged in what is possibly the Varadamudra, the gesture which symbolizes the dispensing of boons. A mudra is a ritualistic pose or gesture which holds a symbolic meaning in Buddhism. Most mudras are performed with hands and fingers, but some also involve the whole body. The figure is represented inside an aureole, parts of which are visible on her sides. Her robes are finely carved in the marble, displaying beautiful detailing in the folds and creases of her garment.
N.B. This item will require additional postage charges after checkout due to weight and size.
Date: Circa 581-907 AD
Period: Tang Dynasty
Provenance: The C. Roger Moss OBE collection. The late C. Roger Moss OBE was a renowned art collector who, throughout the years, thanks to his determination and enthusiasm, was able to create an outstanding collection of artworks, most prominently from China and the Orient, but also from other cultures.
Condition: Very fine, fragmentary. The marble is in very good condition.
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Guanyin is the Buddhist bodhisattva associated with compassion. In Buddhism, a bodhisattva is any person who is on the path towards Buddhahood, which is the rank or condition of an “awaken one”, a Buddha. She was first given the appellation of “Goddess of Mercy” or the Mercy Goddess by Jesuit missionaries in China, and is became associated by some with the Christian Mother Mary figure. The Chinese name Guanyin is short for Guanshiyin, which means “The One Who Perceives the Sounds of the World.” She is still regarded today as one of the most beloved Buddhist divinities.
To discover more about the Roger Moss Collection, visit our Provenance Collection Page.