A Mid-17th Century Blanc de Chine Porcelain Model of Guanyin.

A Late Ming or Early Qing Dynasty Blanc de Chine Porcelain Model of Guanyin and Child, Dehua Kilns, Fujian Province c.1630-1660. Guanyin is shown seated on rocks, her serene face looking downwards and slightly to the left while she perches a child on her right knee.The moulding is clear and has additional hand-work. The glaze has a slight blueish-green tinge to it. For a very similar Guanyin from our Sold Archive, see below the Photograph Gallery.

Guanyin :
Figures of Guanyin are some of the most commonly encountered images in Chinese figurative art. Guanyin was the Goddess of mercy. Her origins stem from Tibetan Buddhism, she was originally the patron saint of Tibetan Buddhism ‘Avalokitesvara’. Guanyin is actually the shorter form of the name Guan shi yin, which means “one who observes the voices of the world.” True to her name, Guanyin listens to and understands the worries that plague man’s existence. Because of her mercy and generosity, Guanyin is the most-loved of China’s divinities, the one people turn to for assistance in their everyday lives. Guanyin is specially venerated by those who are hoping to have children or those who are about to set out for sea. Guanyin has been said to have some of the same qualities as the Virgin Mary of Catholic theology, like the Virgin Mary she is sometimes portrayed holding a child in her arms, indeed she was associated with fecundity and given the title `Giver of Sons`. Guanyin is usually portrayed wearing a white cape. In her right hand. On her head is a crown in the style of the Amitabha-buddha, she is normally shown meditating in a seated position. While the worship of Guanyin can be traced back historically to India, she is the star of countless legends and folk tales in China. Guanyin`s home on earth was the Putuo mountains, located on an island on China`s eastern coast to the south of Shanghai. In China, Putuo-shan is one of the most sacred places in Buddhism and the temple dedicated to Guanyin on the mountain is one of the most important pilgrimage site for Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. Guanyin`s birth is celebrated on the 19th day of February, and her enlightenment is celebrated on the 19th of September. On those days, the pilgrims flock to Putuo mountain.

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