Pair of Chinese Blanc De Chine Figures of Guanyin, 18th Century

Ref: W191

Pair of Chinese Blanc De Chine Figures of Guanyin, 18th century, each standing upon a lotus flower base, bare feet visible at the hem of their flowing robes, with tall chignons, tiaras, beaded necklaces and elongated earlobes

Dimensions:

Height: 39.5cm. (15 5/8in.)

Condition:

Hands replaced and one with chips to head dress and veil neatly restored

Notes:

Guanyin is the Chinese manifestation of the Buddhist bodhisattva Avalokitesvara, who was first worshipped in India before being adopted in various locations across Asia, including China from around the first century BC. The Chinese name ‘Guanyin’ is an abbreviation of ‘Guanshiyin’ ([The One Who] Perceives the Sounds of the World). The deity represents the mortal Buddha of compassion and mercy; the individual beads of the necklace worn by this particular example represent Guanyin’s calls upon Buddha to relieve the misery of living beings. This figure was made in the Dehua kilns in the Southeastern province of Fujian, where local raw materials enabled the production of this highly prized creamy-white, translucent porcelain known as blanc de chine.