The Bodhisattva Guanyin holding a vase
Figure
575 - 625 (made)
575 - 625 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Compassionate Guanyin has always been a favourite deity for Chinese Buddhists. Often known by the Sanskrit name 'Avalokitesvara', Guanyin is said to have come from a ray of light emanating from the Buddha Amitabha. This typical representation shows him wearing a headdress incorporating the Buddha Amitabha, surrounded by a lotus halo (now damaged). In his left hand, Guanyin holds a vase, said to relieve the thirst of his devotees.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | The Bodhisattva Guanyin holding a vase (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Stone |
| Brief description | The Bodhisattva Guanyin (Avalokiteshvara) holding a vase; Scu, China, sculpture, 575-625 |
| Physical description | Standing Bodhisattva with flat back and halo (partly broken). He is wearing a straight robe and a headress with a figure on. He is holding a vase. The sculpture is made of brown and black carved stone. The right hand has broken off. The figure has no feet to act as a base, and its back is flat, suggesting that it was hung on a wall. |
| Dimensions |
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| Styles | |
| Gallery label | The Bodhisattva Guanyin
About 575-625 (Sui or early Tang dynasty)
China
Compassionate Guanyin has always been a favourite deity for Chinese Buddhists. Often known by the Sanskrit name 'Avalokitesvara', Guanyin is said to have come from a ray of light emanating from the Buddha Amitabha. This typical representation shows him wearing a headdress incorporating the Buddha Amitabha, surrounded by a lotus halo (now damaged). In his left hand, Guanyin holds a vase, said to relieve the thirst of his devotees.
Granite
Museum no. A.216-1946 |
| Object history | This figure was purchased from the Sotheby's sale on 22 November 1946. The catalogue states 'An important stone figure of a bodhisattva with high head-dress and jewelled diadem, part of the mandorla missing as is also the right arm, in unusually ornate tasselled robes and deep sleeves, holding a vase in the left hand, the features in samadhi and fully rounded, brown tinted granite, 36in., 6/7th century; on octagonal lotus carved pedestal.' |
| Historical context | This figure represents possibly the most popular figure of worship in Buddhism. It is a typical image of the Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara, called Guanyin in Chinese. Guanyin is said to have come from a ray of light emanating from the Buddha Amitabha. This figure wears a headdress incorporating the figure of the Buddha. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | Compassionate Guanyin has always been a favourite deity for Chinese Buddhists. Often known by the Sanskrit name 'Avalokitesvara', Guanyin is said to have come from a ray of light emanating from the Buddha Amitabha. This typical representation shows him wearing a headdress incorporating the Buddha Amitabha, surrounded by a lotus halo (now damaged). In his left hand, Guanyin holds a vase, said to relieve the thirst of his devotees. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | A.216-1946 |
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| Record created | December 19, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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