AN UNUSUAL LARGE LACQUERED BRONZE 'GUANYIN' PLAQUE
Qing Dynasty
The plaque of rectangular form with a high relief portrait of Guanyin, gilt and lacquered, with an elaborate headdress with phoenix on the top and pendant cords terminating with inlaid semi-precious stones, framed by a key-fret border. 44.5cm (17 1/2in) high x 33.8cm (13 1/4in) wide

Edges and reverse; the lower right corner bears slight denting inwards on lower edge. On right hand edges a casting flaw also exists showing as a small misshapen crater. Two light stress cracks also exists to the outside edges, one on base edge (80mm) from left bottom corner and another on right hand edge (160mm) up from base. Both of these come to a halt on or before the key-fret border. Both would have once extended into the main panel but have born repair at time of manufacture so no visible signs of damage to front of panel can be detected.

Front: general surface degradation and with wear to painted surfaces on raised areas such as most of pigment to bird in crown, key-fret border etc. Wear to most of gilt to face area. Some paint flaking especially on lower edge bottom right and collar area in particular.