Page 171 - Fine Chinese Art Christies London May 2018

chapter of the Lotus Sutra and ‘The 25 Great Ones’ from current fgure’s left hand is a cup. Some Guanyin fgures
the Surangama Sutra that Guanyin could transform at will alternatively hold a fask in their left hand. Both the fask
and appear in more than thirty human forms to expound and the cup are present to contain water – the dew of
Buddhist teaching. compassion – which can be used to cure sufering, purify
the body and the mind, and extend life.
Avalokiteśvara is described in the Lotus Sutra and the
Karandavyuha Sutra. The Lotus Sutra, which has a chapter A smaller Ming 17th century gilt bronze fgure of Guanyin,
devoted to Avalokiteśvara/Guanyin was frst translated into also holding a willow branch and a cup and seated in
Chinese by Dharmaraksa, and the work was completed in padmasana was sold by Christie’s London on 7 November
AD 286, which marked the deity’s introduction to China. 2017, lot 18. The quality, size and style of the current fgure
Chapter 25 of the Lotus Sutra refers to the bodhisattva is, however, particularly close to that of another large and
as Lokeśvara (Lord of all beings) and Lokenath (Lord and magnifcent fgure sold by Christie’s Hong Kong on 1 June
Protector of all beings) and credits him with the utmost 2011, lot 3770. The Hong Kong fgure was of Vairocana,
attributes of divinity. After the 3rd century many more seated in padmasana with his hands in abhisekana mudra.
Buddhist scriptures regarding Guanyin were translated into Like the current fgure the Vairocana wears an elaborate
Chinese and many tales of miracles were promulgated. In fve-leaf diadem, and each leaf is made up of a double
the Mahayana canon, the Heart Sutra is attributed entirely arched nimbus within which is a seated Buddha. Both
to Guanyin, despite the fact that the majority of Mahayana fgures have fower-shaped pendants hanging from their ear
sutras are ascribed to Gautama Buddha and the teachings lobes and the scarves which descend from their shoulders
and deeds of bodhisattvas are described by Shakyamuni fare out, terminating in a chevron shape tipped by three
Buddha. The famous Buddhist saying: “Form is emptiness, jewels. The robes of the two fgures not only fall in an
emptiness is form” (色即是空，空即是色) comes from the almost identical way but have very similar fne foral scroll
Heart Sutra. detail in the edges. The facial features of the two fgures are
also similar.
As in the case of the gentle facial expression of the current
fgure, Guanyin is usually depicted looking down, symbolising Christie’s catalogue of 2011 noted that the only comparable
the bodhisattva’s continual watch over humanity. In the fgure to the Vairocana was an impressively large fgure
teachings of Pure Land Buddhism, which, together with formerly in the George Croft Collection, which was gifted to
Chan Buddhism, was the dominant Buddhism in the Ming the Royal Ontario Museum (no. 921.31.30) by D.A. Dunlap.
dynasty, Guanyin, along with Amitabha and the bodhisattva The authors of the catalogue also pointed out that these
Mahasthamaprapta, is able temporarily to liberate beings from fgures would probably have been commissioned by an
the Wheel of Samsara, allowing them to enter the Pure Land, important patron as pious gifts to a major temple where
where they will have the opportunity to accrue suficient merit they may have formed part of a prestigious group. The
to be able to reach Buddhahood in a single lifetime. authors also noted that such fgures combined Chinese
and Tibetan Tantric infuences and were unusual in their
The willow in the current fgure’s right hand symbolises depiction of the Five Tathagatas (Five Great Buddhas of
the willingness and ability to heal people’s illness and to Wisdom) in their crowns. It was also pointed out that the
fulfl their needs. In respect of the alleviation of physical strong Chinese features included the full rounded faces and
sufering, the willow is considered by Buddhists to have fnely incised foral scrolls on the edges of the robes. The
properties of healing and purifcation, and indeed willow authors additionally noted the similarity between the foral
bark does contain the anti-infammatory agent salicin, a motifs on the robes and those which were used to decorate
chemical compound related to aspirin. Guanyin was also late Yuan and early Ming porcelains.
believed to use the willow to sprinkle divine water. In the

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