A Bronze Figure of a Seated Kuanyin
19th Century
29” h. x 12½” w. d.

This Kuanyin is seated in padmasana (lotus position) on a lavish two-tiered lotus throne, with hands in vitarkamedra (the gesture of giving instruction for believers), with a bottle holding the water of life resting in her left hand.

She is wearing a lavish hooded robe with incised floral designs, which cascade down in crisp folds around her body, falling open to reveal the upper part of her bejeweled chest. The incised robe, as well as the throne she sits on, are colored a dark brown and tinted with a blue pigment. Her pigmented blue hair is drawn up high on top of her head, and is crowned by a tiara. Her face, with downcast eyes, bears a serene expression. A bronze aereola (mandorla) of flame that is a manifestation of eternal thought and feeling is attached to the figure’s back but can be detached. The flame is also tinted with a blue pigment and shows slight scorch marks that indicate the figurine was placed near a flame at one time. It has a wonderful patina of old age.

The almost unblemished gilded bronze visage, upper chest, hand and feet of this figure against the dark tinted and pigmented background brilliantly thrust this Goddess of Mercy and Compassion into her rightful position of prominence.