The Bodhisattva Guanyin in her aspect as the 'bringer of sons'
Figure
1680-1720 (made), 1745-1750 (decorated)
1680-1720 (made), 1745-1750 (decorated)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Glazed hard-paste porcelain figure of The Bodhisattva Guanyin in her aspect as the 'bringer of sons'. The goddess is seated with her infant son on her right knee; she is barefoot and wears loosely fitting gown and necklace, veil and tiara; she sits on a rocky pedestal upon which there are two dragons and a lotus plant rendered in relief, and from which two truncated tree branches emerge, upon which rest her traditional attributes of a vase (of holy dew or ambrosia, on her right), and a bundle of books (on her left); to either side of the pedestal stand diminutive figures of acolytes, on her right a young woman holding a cup (?), and on her left a youth with hands clasped in prayer. The figure's robe has been painted in enamels in a Japanese Kakiemon palette with a version of the 'Red Dragon' pattern and with chrysanthemum sprays, peonies and scattered flowers, some details having been enhanced with gilding, and the veil is also gilt (much rubbed); the base (front face only), truncated branches, dragons, acolytes and attributes are painted with broad washes of turquoise, green, crimson, brown and blue enamel.
The figure and base were made in a mould, but have much additional modelling and hand-finishing; painted in England with enamels and gold; broken in the 18th or 19th centuries and repaired with two staples.
The figure and base were made in a mould, but have much additional modelling and hand-finishing; painted in England with enamels and gold; broken in the 18th or 19th centuries and repaired with two staples.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Title | The Bodhisattva Guanyin in her aspect as the 'bringer of sons' (generic title) |
Materials and techniques | Glazed hard-paste porcelain, figure and base made in a mould, but have much additional modelling and hand-finishing; painted with enamels and gold; broken and repaired with two staples |
Brief description | Porcelain figure of The Bodhisattva Guanyin in her aspect as the 'bringer of sons', made in China (Fujian Province), 1680-1720, probably decorated in London, 1745-50 |
Physical description | Glazed hard-paste porcelain figure of The Bodhisattva Guanyin in her aspect as the 'bringer of sons'. The goddess is seated with her infant son on her right knee; she is barefoot and wears loosely fitting gown and necklace, veil and tiara; she sits on a rocky pedestal upon which there are two dragons and a lotus plant rendered in relief, and from which two truncated tree branches emerge, upon which rest her traditional attributes of a vase (of holy dew or ambrosia, on her right), and a bundle of books (on her left); to either side of the pedestal stand diminutive figures of acolytes, on her right a young woman holding a cup (?), and on her left a youth with hands clasped in prayer. The figure's robe has been painted in enamels in a Japanese Kakiemon palette with a version of the 'Red Dragon' pattern and with chrysanthemum sprays, peonies and scattered flowers, some details having been enhanced with gilding, and the veil is also gilt (much rubbed); the base (front face only), truncated branches, dragons, acolytes and attributes are painted with broad washes of turquoise, green, crimson, brown and blue enamel. The figure and base were made in a mould, but have much additional modelling and hand-finishing; painted in England with enamels and gold; broken in the 18th or 19th centuries and repaired with two staples. |
Dimensions |
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Subjects depicted | |
Collection | |
Accession number | C.58-2004 |
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Record created | September 7, 2004 |
Record URL |
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