Description:

Australia / China, ca. mid-20th century CE. This amulet of Guanyin is carved from a dazzling white opal, with a lovely color-play of lilac and pale periwinkle blue with iridescent green in vertical stripes. Guanyin is the Chinese Bodhisattva of kindness, compassion, and mercy, here she is seated on a lotus holding a vase that contains the nectar of life. The hues in this opal are remarkable, and many cultures considered opals to be the most magical of precious gems because of the array of colors it contained. Before the commercial Australian mines in the late 19th century, opal deposits were relatively rare in the rest of the world and often only the wealthiest of society could possess these remarkable stones. Many Chinese workers settled in Australia eager to buy and trade the precious gem - their skill at cutting opals was nearly unrivaled. The fine details on this Guanyin are a testament to the talented artisans! Size: 2" L x 1.125" W (5.1 cm x 2.9 cm); 2.5" H (6.4 cm) on included custom stand; weight: 13.7 grams.

Provenance: ex-private Idledale, Colorado, USA collection; ex-John B. Kendrick II collection, Denver, Colorado, USA, acquired 1965 to 1990; John B. Kendrick II was that son of John B. Kendrick, Wyoming governor and US senator.

#175297

  • Medium: Opal
  • Condition: Minor surface nicks and chips to periphery edges, otherwise intact and great condition. Verso is polished and natural striations visible.

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October 27, 2022 8:00 AM MDT
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Artemis Fine Arts

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