Description:

This lot is oversized / heavy and will require 3rd party shipping - please inquire before bidding.

East Asia, China, late Ming to Qing Dynasty, ca. 17th to 19th century CE. A gorgeous, larger than life limestone head of the bodhisattva Guanyin (Avalokiteshvara), "The Lord Who Gazes Down at The World," a figure often portrayed as both male or female who embodies the compassion of all Buddhas. Skillfully carved with a tremendous amount of detail, the face is serene, with slender, downcast eyes, a broad nose, and plump lips curved into a slight smile. There are no wrinkles or signs of age, yet the face is not youthful, giving it a timeless, ethereal quality. Atop the monumental head is a scrolling top bun surrounded by an intricate headdress with a lotus flower. Lengthy ears flank the elegant visage, symbolic of their divinity and ability to hear all suffering in the world. Size: 13.8" L x 15.5" W x 22.3" H (35.1 cm x 39.4 cm x 56.6 cm)

In Buddhist belief, bodhisattvas are among the most compassionate beings in the universe, devoting themselves to saving the suffering and helping others achieve enlightenment and Buddhahood. Traditionally depicted as less austere than Buddhas with graceful postures and elegant garments, a nod to the riches of the Northwestern Chinese Silk Road, this piece is no exception. Bodhisattvas or Guanyin are associated with compassion and mercy - their long ears significant because they rescue all human beings by hearing their cries for help and the sounds of suffering.

This item is oversized and requires special shipping. Please inquire prior to bidding.

Provenance: private Truchas, New Mexico, USA collection, acquired from Silkroad in 2002

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#189264

    Condition:
  • Fragment of a larger piece. Chipping to base, left ear, and verso, as well as some nicks and abrasions to surface as shown, all commensurate with age. Stable hairline fissures throughout stone. Expected weathering with encrustations and some staining. Otherwise, very nice presentation with good remaining detail.

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November 15, 2024 8:00 AM MST
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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