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Lot Essay
- CIRAM, Bordeaux, France, Certificat d'analyse 0208-OA-32R and 0508-OA-115R, C-14 tests, on both wood and lacquer
- Centre de Radiologie Numerisee Saint-Germain, Paris
The Nyoirin Kannon is dated in both publications to the Kamakura period. Interestingly, technical research through a C-14 test provided a calibrated date for the wood material of the second half of the seventh century, confirmed by a second C-14 test. Nevertheless since this specific iconographic form seems not to have developed by the end of the seventh or even early eighth century, it is difficult to accept such an early date for its creation. On several occasions during research on Japanese wood sculptures, a C-14 test gave a very early, calibrated date, in fact before the specific iconography and style were known. It would seem, therefore, that there was a tradition of using sections of old wood, perhaps from decayed temples, to carve contemporary figures. A radiography test shows that this figure is indeed made out of one piece of wood.
The style, slim body, and painted designs on his drapery confirm, however, at least a late Kamakura date. The fact that some hand gestures are not completely understood suggests a less strict following of iconographic rules, common for later periods. An additional C-14 test of the lacquer varnish itself came to a calibrated date in the sixteenth century. The lacquer varnish could have been added later, though it is not excluded that it is in fact contemporary to the creation of this fine Nyoirin Kannon figure.
- Centre de Radiologie Numerisee Saint-Germain, Paris
The Nyoirin Kannon is dated in both publications to the Kamakura period. Interestingly, technical research through a C-14 test provided a calibrated date for the wood material of the second half of the seventh century, confirmed by a second C-14 test. Nevertheless since this specific iconographic form seems not to have developed by the end of the seventh or even early eighth century, it is difficult to accept such an early date for its creation. On several occasions during research on Japanese wood sculptures, a C-14 test gave a very early, calibrated date, in fact before the specific iconography and style were known. It would seem, therefore, that there was a tradition of using sections of old wood, perhaps from decayed temples, to carve contemporary figures. A radiography test shows that this figure is indeed made out of one piece of wood.
The style, slim body, and painted designs on his drapery confirm, however, at least a late Kamakura date. The fact that some hand gestures are not completely understood suggests a less strict following of iconographic rules, common for later periods. An additional C-14 test of the lacquer varnish itself came to a calibrated date in the sixteenth century. The lacquer varnish could have been added later, though it is not excluded that it is in fact contemporary to the creation of this fine Nyoirin Kannon figure.