Guanyin thumbnail 1
Guanyin thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Guanyin

Figure
1100-1200 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Soapstone was used at an early date in China to create small-scale Buddhist sculptures. This is an important example in the Museum's collection, which shows the Bodhisattva Guanyin seated with raised knee in the pose known in Buddhist iconography as 'royal ease'. (Guanyin was the Chinese goddess of mercy.) It compares closely with a number of large-scale examples in wood and other materials, and like them may well have been made in the northern half of China in the 12th century. It is of greyish soapstone, but traces of red and green pigment remain visible on the reverse of the figure.


Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleGuanyin (generic title)
Materials and techniques
Soapstone, carved, with traces of polychrome
Brief description
Figure of Guanyin, carved soapstone with traces of polychrome, China, Song dynasty, 1100-1200
Physical description
Soapstone figure of Guanyi, seated on a rock in the attitude of kingly repose, wearing a diadem, the figure coated with gesso, on which traces of red, green and gold paint remain.
Dimensions
  • Height: 15.5cm
Style
Gallery label
KUANYIN; statuette in steatite. CHINESE; A97-1923. Sung dynasty (960-1280 A.D.) H. 4 3/4in., W. 6in. Bought S.M. Franck & Co. £5. R.P. Phot. 53670. The figure is seated on a rock in the attitude of kingly repose, wearing a diadem. The figure has been coated with gesso, on which traces of red, green and gold paint remain.(pre 2005)
Object history
Exhibited in Ghent 1979-80
Subjects depicted
Summary
Soapstone was used at an early date in China to create small-scale Buddhist sculptures. This is an important example in the Museum's collection, which shows the Bodhisattva Guanyin seated with raised knee in the pose known in Buddhist iconography as 'royal ease'. (Guanyin was the Chinese goddess of mercy.) It compares closely with a number of large-scale examples in wood and other materials, and like them may well have been made in the northern half of China in the 12th century. It is of greyish soapstone, but traces of red and green pigment remain visible on the reverse of the figure.
Bibliographic reference
Clunas, Craig. Chinese Carving. London: Sun Tree Publishing Ltd in association with the Victoria & Albert Museum, 1996. p. 70, fig. 85.
Other number
53670 - Negative number
Collection
Accession number
A.97-1923

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Record createdMarch 17, 2003
Record URL
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