Carving: Guanyin (Kannon, Kuanyin, Avalokiteshvara)

1999.13.0003

Thumbnail of Carving: Guanyin (Kannon, Kuanyin, Avalokiteshvara) (1999.13.0003)

Detailed Images

Basic Information

Artifact Identification Carving: Guanyin (Kannon, Kuanyin, Avalokiteshvara)   (1999.13.0003)
Classification/
Nomenclature
  1. Communication Artifacts
  2. :
  3. Art
  4. :
  5. N/A
Artist/Maker None
Geographic Location
Period/Date Qing Dynasty (1644-1911), 17th – 18th century CE
Culture Chinese

Physical Analysis

Dimension 1 (Height) 32.9 cm
Dimension 2 (Width) 12.5 cm
Dimension 3 (Depth) 10.0 cm
Weight 880 g
Measuring Remarks None
Materials Plant--Boxwood, Plant--Wood
Manufacturing Processes Carved
Munsell Color Information Strong Brown (2.5YR 3/6) -Face. Strong Brown (5YR 4/6) -Back of robe. Dark Reddish Brown (2.5YR 2/4) -Top knot.

Research Remarks

Published Description N/A
Description

"A Chinese boxwood carving of Guanyin (Kuan Yin), 17th/18th centiry, Qing (Ch'ing) Dynasty, 13 1/2" H., carved within the natural contour of the wood, leaning slightly, finely carved face and robes, holding a well-defined basket (Restoration—smoothed 3 miniscule small nicks). Boxwood (Buxus michrophylia) is a very close-grained dense yellowish brown hardwood termed huangyang in Chinese.

Guanyin is the Chinese name for the Bodhisattva Avalokitesvara. One of the most famous Buddhist Bodhisattvas is Guanyin (Kuan Yin). The name translates "lord who looks on." He is often depicted as the deity of Mercy and compassion. In Indian art he is depicted as an Indian prince and spiritual son of Amitabha, with a crown, jewels and skirt, and sometimes holds an attribute (fly whisk or bottle filled with heavenly nectar). This deity is also depicted with a lotus, symbol of purity, and when in this form is called Padmapani. In Tantric form, he may have eleven heads, and sometimes as many as one thousand arms. It is usually represented, (since the Sung Dynasty) in China, as feminine in form and is thought of as a "goddess." This deity is represented in painting and sculpture." - Bernie McManus, Appraiser, Woodbury House, Connecticut, 10/23/1999

Comparanda N/A
Bibliography N/A

Artifact History

Archaeological Data N/A
Credit Line/Dedication Fred A. Freund Collection
Reproduction No
Reproduction Information N/A

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