Guanyin
Figure
ca. 1630 (made)
ca. 1630 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This graceful figure has been finely carved from rhinoceros horn and represents the 'compassionate' Bodhisattva Guanyin, also known as Avalokiteshvara. According to Buddhist teachings, a bodhisattva is a deity on the path to reaching Enlightenment. By this period (late Ming) Guanyin took on the aspect of an elegant lady in flowing robes. Here she is pouring from a bottle the sweet waters of salvation. Sea creatures swarm in the waves foaming over her bare feet.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Title | Guanyin (generic title) |
| Materials and techniques | Rhinoceros horn, carved |
| Brief description | Figure of Guanyin, carved rhinoceros horn, China, Ming dynasty, ca.1630 |
| Physical description | Rhinoceros horn figure of Guanyin, standing turned slightly to her right and wearing a long robe among a sea of wave crests, arms draped with a scarf, held in her left hand downwards is an inverted bottle from which liquid pours into the water. Among the waves are carp, crayfish, ray, a crab, and a toad-like animal. The underside is hollow and its edge is carved with wave patterns. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Style | |
| Gallery label | GUANYIN POURING BALM ON THE WAVES
Rhinoceros horn
Chinese; 18th century
Dame Ada McNaughton Bequest
FE.13-1970(pre 2005) |
| Credit line | The Hon. Dame Ada McNaughton Bequest |
| Production | From Register: Opinion of Jan Chapman 12/09/90: made of East Asian horn. Style suggests a date just post-Wanli, i.e. circa 1630. Cf. a very similar figure in the Fogg Museum. |
| Subjects depicted | |
| Summary | This graceful figure has been finely carved from rhinoceros horn and represents the 'compassionate' Bodhisattva Guanyin, also known as Avalokiteshvara. According to Buddhist teachings, a bodhisattva is a deity on the path to reaching Enlightenment. By this period (late Ming) Guanyin took on the aspect of an elegant lady in flowing robes. Here she is pouring from a bottle the sweet waters of salvation. Sea creatures swarm in the waves foaming over her bare feet. |
| Bibliographic reference | Clunas, Craig. Chinese Carving. London: Sun Tree Publishing Ltd in association with the Victoria & Albert Museum, 1996. p. 42, fig. 42. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | FE.13-1970 |
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| Record created | March 14, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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