Porcelain Guan Yin figure
Material: Porcelain
Construction: Molded
Marks: None
Colors: Green, Purple, Red, Blue, Black, White
Description: The figurine is that of a woman seated atop a lotus flower. Her clothing drapes over her loosely, framing a pearl necklace with a red tear-drop shaped gem. Her expression is even, with an intricate bun atop her head. In her hands she holds a brush and a bottle respectively. Two children attend the woman, one clothed as she is, holding a large pearl on a cloth, the other nearly naked with his empty hands clasped together as though in prayer. Each child stand on an off-shoot lotus flower, all three stems coming together into a whirl of waves that form the base of the porcelain figure. The woman's clothing is an even mix of green and purple, with a mantle and trimming of blue and purple, floral designs throughout. The clothed child wears primarily purple overtop of green while the meager clothing of the other child is primarily blue overtop of purple and green.
Period: 19th Century
Provenance: Dutchess County Estate
Size: H. 13.0x W. 6.0x D. 4.5"
Weight: 3lbs 14.7 oz
Condition: The piece retains its bright colors, but both pinkies are broken at the second joint, ending them prematurely as well as one index finger. Expected mottled black surface on rear bottom.Meta: Guan Yin, China, Goddess
History: The Guanyin is, in Buddhism, an enlightened being that is referred to as a Goddess of Mercy. She is central in the Buddhist belief in mercy and forgiveness. It is believed by some that she places deceased loved ones at the center of a lotus flower, which follows her floral motif. Her name, Guanyin, translates to"Observing the Sounds of the World."