Guanyin
Figure
1100-1200 (made)
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 | |
Title | Guanyin (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 |
|
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 created | March 17, 2003 |
Record URL |
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