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Antique Chinese Lacquered Gilt Bronze
KwanYin
Prajnaparamita
Mother of All Buddha
Qing Dynasty, Mid 19th Century
H 20" (51cm.), W 7.5" (19cm.), D 6" (15cm.)
Prajnaparamita
is the Goddess of superior wisdom and transcendental intuition. She is regarded
as the one who possesses thorough and complete knowledge of enlightened Mind.
She is the most popular Vajrayana deity, shown here atop a double lotus, with
four arms; her front left hand is in vitarka mudra, the gesture of teaching; her
front right hand is in varada mudra, the gesture of offering and generosity. Her
rear right hand touches the stem of the open lotus that rises beside her head;
her rear left hand is in damaru mudra and may have held and attribute. Proportions
are drawn from earlier convention, with the head relatively large and the composition
balanced by the structure and size of the base. Here the influence is Indian,
the features recalling the Gandharan era. Complimenting the simple volumes of
the body are the delicate and finely applied details of the crown, the ringlets
of curls framing the face and the high chignon visible behind the crown, the intricate
jewelled earrings and necklaces, the apron with trailing scarves, the regular
folds of the dhoti. Flowing rhythms continue across the back of the piece, with
gilded crown, drapery and scarves still gleaming. Traces of gold also remain on
the base. The work has qualities of both austerity and gentleness, a combination
of stillness and movement in the even-footed stance and the slight tilt of the
head. | 
Private Collection |
