Antique
Camphor Wood Carving
Quan Yin with Ruyi
China,
Qing Dynasty, (1644-1911)
H.
23 in.(58cm.) x W. 6.5 in.(16.5cm.) x D. 5.5 in. (14cm.)
The
bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara whose Chinese name is Quan Sei-yin
( or Quan Yin ) means "Observer of World Sound". She is the
most beloved Buddhist deity in Japan and China.
Avalokiteshvara
was definitely male in India and Java. He was worshipped as
one of the bodhisattva in the realm of Amitabha Buddha. The
Lotus Sutra lists his thirty-three transformations from male
to female; which illustrates the infinity of means of salvation
in his great compassion to rescue faithfuls from perils.
This
antique wood carving is quite old. The superb artisan style,
age cracks and natural color leads us to believe that she
was carved in Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), possibly around 18th
century.
PRIVATE
COLLECTION
