Circa: early 20th century
H 69 in.(175cm), W 40 in.(101cm), D 18 in.(46cm)
Condition: losses and minor age crack
A
large and lyrical Quan Yin, Goddess of Mercy; carved, lacquered, painted and inlaid
with small chips of glass. Possibly from East China, showing exotic influences
in the mirror inlay and the flat borders around the figure which are carved in
sinuous foliate motifs set with celestial scarves, lotus and chakra. Quan Yin
is portrayed standing atop a lotus throne, her body slightly flexed, a gentle
smile on her lips, eyes lowered to search for suffering sentient beings. Her right
hand is in the vitarka mudra of explication, her left hand curls around the stem
of an open lotus from which is supported a sacred water pot. Lacquered in sienna
with gold accents brushed on the surface and red painted ornaments in the crown,
the jeweled necklaces and girdle, the center of the chakra and the toenails. At
the front a pleated skirt embroidered with clouds descends in graceful jeweled
folds.