Cast in exquisite detail, this sculpture of Kuan-Yin is
applied with red and black lacquer and gilt in the face and black and blue
pigment in the headdress. Her oval
face, aquiline nose, pursed lips, and delicately shaped downcast eyes make up
her benevolent expression. A
circular impression on her forehead represents the urna, a Buddhist mark
signifying spiritual enlightenment. Elongated
earlobes, another Buddhist mark, symbolized overabundant generosity.
Bodhisattvas and Kuan-Yin figures were often adorned with jeweled
earrings and other dazzling adornments, as may have once been the case with this
figure. A distinctive feature of Kuan-Yin is her elaborate
headdress—in this piece depicted by a triangular-shaped tiara, centered on the
image of Amitaba Buddha holding a bowl amongst foliate sprigs. The tiara is delicately constructed piece by piece, held
together by wiring exposed in some areas. The
hair is combed and tied up in a knot encircled by the large crown.
The Kuan-Yin is part of the Buddhist constellation of
Bodhisattvas, devotees who have attained enlightenment but traverse the earth to
promote the teachings of Buddha. Through
divine example of guidance, the Bodhisattvas communicate with the people,
helping them cope with the difficulties of life and attain some measure of
spiritual cultivation. Thus, they
have become popular subjects for representation, sometimes combining their
attributes with characterizations of indigenous deities or religious beliefs.
Kuan-Yin has a strong feminine presence in Chinese art as she is also
referred to as the Goddess of Mercy, named after her attributes of compassion
and pity.
- (H.049)
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