MING DYNASTY 1368 – 1644 Ming Bronze

A Ming Dynasty Bronze of Guanyin on the Lotus Throne Holding an Alms Bowl. The Figure has Some, Almost Certainly Latter, Cold Painting.
SOLD

Condition
The top of Guanyin's crown has been bent back and then broken off, it has been crudely restuck and is still bent and is out of shape.
Size
Height : 18.8 cm (7 1/2 inches).
Provenance
Dr Hobart c.1920. The previous owner let me know the family history of this Chinese bronze "Dr Hobart, who was a missionary in China urged the Chinese people to throw away their family idols when they converted to Christianity. He sent some of these as gifts to Americans. This is when my family, who were Methodist ministers, received this piece. He considered it to be well over 100 years old when he sent it in 1920."
Stock number
22596

Photos

Information

Guanyin :
Guanyin is actually the shorter form of the name Guan shi yin, which means β€œone 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 is usually portrayed wearing a white cape. In her right hand, she holds a dish that has holy water and on her left hand, she carries a willow branch. On her head is a crown in the style of the Amitabha-buddha. She is usually depicted riding on a dragon across the sea or on the back of a tiger; often, she is shown meditating in a seated position. Guanyin has been given the same qualities as the Virgin Mary of Catholic theology, which is why she is sometimes portrayed holding a child in her arms. While the worship of Guanyin in could be traced historically from India, she is the star of countless legends and folk tales in China. One of the most famous versions tells of the unselfish young princess, Miao Shan. In the story, Miao Shan was being forced to marry a rich man she didn`t love. She rebelled against her father, putting up as many barriers to the marriage as possible, even saying that she would rather enter the nunnery than get married. Miao Shan underwent a lot of challenges, but she managed to overcome all of them. The point being that Miao Shan had a generous and unselfish heart. Because of her virtue, she was going to be taken straight to the land of the immortals, but at the moment when she was about to step into paradise, Miao Shan turned to look at the earth one last time. Upon hearing the cries and complaints of men, she decided to stay on earth to help and console those who are suffering. Miao Shan is believed to have turned into Guanyin, the goddess of mercy. 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. The Chinese believe that gods and saints exist in our world and everyday life. They turn to Guanyin when needed, and they strongly believe that all it takes to secure her aid is to mention her name --- for, without a doubt, Guanyin is listening and will come to your aid in no time. 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. Guanyin is so popular in the whole of Asia that, as an example of how well everyday life can merge with holiness in the East, electronics giant Canon has taken Guanyin as its Japanese name.