Page 249 - Bonhams Fine Chinese Art Nov 2013 London

Guanyin is the popular feminised form of Avalokitesvara, the Bodhisattva Invoice
of Compassion, and is one of the Buddhist deities most favoured
in China for sculptural and pictographic representation. Guanyin is
frequently depicted with a small figure of the Amitabha Buddha in her
tiara; her compassion is particularly evident in her serene but kind smile,
symbolising her role as an enlightened being who has nevertheless
chosen to delay entering Nirvana in order to stay on earth and help
others to achieve enlightenment.
The head is carved from a soft-toned grey stone, characterised by small
darker grey grains which give an attractive textured, flecked appearance.
Compare a similar stone head with a related ornate crown illustrated
by W.Percival Yetts, The George Eumorfopoulos Collection Catalogue
of Chinese and Corean Bronzes, Sculptures, Jades, Jewellery and
Miscellaneous Objects, vol.3, London, 1932, col.pl.LXXII, no.C.114,
where it is noted that the character meaning Buddha is crudely incised
on the headdress and that it probably replaces a figure of the Amitabha
Buddha which had been earlier cut away.
Compare also a related stone head but with a polychrome lacquered
headband sold at Sotheby’s Paris, 18 December 2012, lot 42.

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