18TH CENTURY

Details

A LARGE DEHUA FIGURE OF GUANYIN
18TH CENTURY
The serene figure is modelled standing upon swirling waves, with her hair tied in an intricate chignon, and with downcast eyes and a serene expression. She is holding the edge of her long voluminous robes in her left hand and a scroll in the other. The back is impressed with a four-character seal mark which may be identified as boji yuren.

35 in. (89 cm.) high

Provenance

With S. Bulgari, Rome.

Brought to you by

Cherrei Yuan Tian

ctian@christies.com +44 (0)20 7389 2571

Lot Essay

The goddess Guanyin, also known as the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, is venerated as the goddess of mercy and compassion. One of the most popular subjects in Chinese art, early representations portray the deity as male, but by the Qing dynasty, particularly in porcelain, she was depicted as a beautiful female. Seal marks referred to as 'fisherman' marks usually read boji yuren, translated as 'virtue extends to all, even fishermen.'

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