Guanyin
Figure of Guanyin
1580-1650 (made)
1580-1650 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This white porcelain figure of Guanyin was made in the town of Dehua in Fujian province, south east China. It was press moulded and finished by hand. The workmanship demonstrated on this figure is of the highest quality as illustrated by the fine details of the figure: the delicate fingers and toes, the draping folds of the robe and the combed hair.
Guanyin (Skt. Avalokitsevara), Bodhissatva of compassion was one of the most popular figure subjects made at the Dehua kilns during the Ming (1366-1644) and early Qing (1644-1911) periods. Guanyin came to be incorporated into Chinese religious life, art and material culture as an important figure in the Buddhist pantheon and was the focus of devotional practices aimed at individual salvation. Guanyin was also worshipped as a protector of mariners and as a bringer of sons. This figure would most likely have been for domestic use and worshipped on a small household altar.
Guanyin (Skt. Avalokitsevara), Bodhissatva of compassion was one of the most popular figure subjects made at the Dehua kilns during the Ming (1366-1644) and early Qing (1644-1911) periods. Guanyin came to be incorporated into Chinese religious life, art and material culture as an important figure in the Buddhist pantheon and was the focus of devotional practices aimed at individual salvation. Guanyin was also worshipped as a protector of mariners and as a bringer of sons. This figure would most likely have been for domestic use and worshipped on a small household altar.
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Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Guanyin (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Porcelain with white glaze |
| Brief description | Figure of Guanyin, porcelain with white glaze, Dehua, China, 1580-1650, with impressed maker's mark 'He Chaozong yin'. |
| Physical description | Porcelain figure of Guanyin standing on a cloud, wearing a long, hooded robe over a simple skirt, tied at the waist with a cord. Her hair piled on top of her head, decorated with a crown which features the figure of the Buddha in the centre. Worn around her neck a beaded necklace with a central lotus. |
| Dimensions |
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| Style | |
| Marks and inscriptions | Four-character mark 'He Chao zong yin' in seal characters impressed in relief on the back of the figure (Translation from Register)
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| Gallery label |
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| Credit line | Salting Bequest |
| Object history | Bequeathed by Mr. George Salting, accessioned in 1910. This acquisition information reflects that found in the Asia Department registers, as part of a 2022 provenance research project. For a figure of Guanyin with the mark of Wanli, see Sotheby's Catalogue Thursday 11th November 1937, lot 69. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Association | |
| Summary | This white porcelain figure of Guanyin was made in the town of Dehua in Fujian province, south east China. It was press moulded and finished by hand. The workmanship demonstrated on this figure is of the highest quality as illustrated by the fine details of the figure: the delicate fingers and toes, the draping folds of the robe and the combed hair. Guanyin (Skt. Avalokitsevara), Bodhissatva of compassion was one of the most popular figure subjects made at the Dehua kilns during the Ming (1366-1644) and early Qing (1644-1911) periods. Guanyin came to be incorporated into Chinese religious life, art and material culture as an important figure in the Buddhist pantheon and was the focus of devotional practices aimed at individual salvation. Guanyin was also worshipped as a protector of mariners and as a bringer of sons. This figure would most likely have been for domestic use and worshipped on a small household altar. |
| Other number | 48915 - Negative number |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | C.546-1910 |
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| Record created | December 5, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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