East Asia, China, Song Dynasty to early Ming Dynasty, ca. 11th to 15th century CE. A large, gracefully carved grey stone sculpture depicting a relief standing figure, possibly an Emperor or high ranking court official, or possibly a Boddhisattva or other deity. The Song period saw a revival of Buddhist art from the repressions of the Tang period, and much of their artwork has a religious theme. This example has the figure standing against a largely smooth background with classically-Chinese looking rounded edges that meet at a gentle point at the top center. The figure has been carved to have draped and layered clothing and stands holding a staff in one hand and a mirror in the other. The presence of the mirror may indicate that this is Guanyin, also known as the Boddhisattva Avalokitesvara. Size: 11.15" W x 23.8" H (28.3 cm x 60.5 cm)

Guanyin (Avalokiteshvara), "The Lord Who Gazes Down At The World", is a bodhisattva portrayed as both male or female who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas. Song Dynasty artwork saw the emergence of a distinctively Chinese style of Buddhist art, of which this is a nice example of the type.

Provenance: ex-Sarkisian Gallery, Denver, Colorado, USA

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#136418

Stone has a beautiful weathered patina with some nice deposits on its surface, especially on the back. Front is also weathered, with a few small chips and nicks, but is generally in beautiful condition.