A sumptuous carving in light colored wood, a serenely contemplative Kuan Yin appears before a moon disc aureole . Wonderfully realized, the figure appears in the nest of a hollowed out tree trunk, emerging from the wood as new growth from the forest floor. She holds in her left hand, cast downwards, a jar of water to purify the defiled. Her right hand casts a teaching mudra. In Pure Land Buddhism, Kuan Yin is regarded as the "Bark of Salvation", and has the ability to liberate people from the wheel of Samsara and bring them to the Pure Land. Kwan Yin is the goddess of compassion, and takes thirty-three different forms. A beautiful piece in excellent condition.