Quan Yin -Female Incarnation of Buddha Stone Bust 50 (03/27/2011)...

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Quan Yin -Female Incarnation of Buddha Stone Bust 50 lb

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Quan Yin -Female Incarnation of Buddha Stone Bust 50 lb

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Sold Date: 03/27/2011
Channel: Online Auction
Source: eBay
Category: Ethnic, Folk & Native American Art

This is a museum quality turn of the century solidstone carved Quan Yin bust; classic carving of the Buddhist Goddess Mercy . She comes to us from northern China , measuring 19 inches in height and weighing 50 pounds. It's a very well executed carving, classically posed and glowing with an age old patina . You will not be disappointed! These are becoming more and more difficult to get and prices have escalated.

Condition: Very good museum condition and age old patina.
History: Northern China , 19th century (?)
Weight: 50 pounds, solid stone carved

Origin Guanyin's origin is debated among scholars. The root of this debate lies in the history of religion in China.
China's indigenous religion is Daoism. It is possible that Guanshi'yin originated as a Daoist deity, the Queen Mother of the West .
With the introduction of Mahayana Buddhism to China in around the fourth to fifth centuries AD, Daoism and Buddhism became religious rivals in China.
The Buddhist tactic was to change, and even supplant, indigenous Daoist deities in favor of Buddhist deities.
Over the centuries, this trend has had the effect that it is now virtually impossible to determine Guanshi'yin's true origin.
The official Buddhist view is that Guanyin originated with the male Avalokiteśvara, though Guanyin's origin may be more complex than this simple, linear derivation.
While it is certain that the name "Guanshi'yin" is derived from the name "Avalokiteśvara", the image of the Chinese/Korean/Japanese/Vietnamese Bodhisattva (along with her femininity) may be at least partly derived from other sources.

Guanyin is the Chinese name for the Bodhisattva Avalokiteśvara . However, folk traditions in China and other East Asian countries have added many distinctive characteristics and legends. Avalokiteśvara was originally depicted as the Buddha when he was still a prince, and therefore wears chest-revealing clothing and may even sport a moustache. However in China, Guanyin is usually depicted as a woman. Additionally, some people believe that Guanyin is both man and woman (or perhaps neither).(link here )

In China, Guanyin is usually shown in a white flowing robe and usually wears necklaces of Indian/Chinese royalty. In the right hand is a water jar containing pure water, and the left holds a willow branch. The crown usually depicts the image of Amitabha Buddha, Guanyin's spiritual teacher before she became a Bodhisattva .

In some Buddhist temples and monasteries, Guanyin's images are occasionally depicted as a young man dressed in Northern Song Buddhist robes sitting gracefully. He is usually depicted looking or glancing down, symbolising that Guanyin continues to watch over the world.

Guanyin of the Southern Sea, Chinese Late 1500s, Nantoyōsō Collection, Japan

There are also regional variations of Guanyin depictions. In the Fujian region of China, for example, a popular depiction of Guanyin is as a maiden dressed in Tang dynasty style clothing carrying a fish basket. A popular image of Guanyin as both Guanyin of the South Sea and Guanyin With a Fish Basket can be seen in late 1500s Chinese encyclopedias and in prints that accompany the novel Golden Lotus .

In Chinese art, Guanyin is often depicted either alone, standing atop a dragon, accompanied by a white parrot , flanked by two children, or flanked by two warriors. The two children are her acolytes who came to her when she was meditating at Mount Putuo . The girl is called Long Nü and the boy Shan Tsai . The two warriors are the historical character Guan Yu who comes from the Three Kingdoms period and the mythological character Wei Tuo who features in the Chinese classic Canonisation of the Gods. The Buddhist tradition also displays Guanyin, or other buddhas and bodhisattvas, flanked with the two said warriors, but as bodhisattvas who protect the temple and the faith itself.

Legend of Miao Shan

Another story from the Precious Scroll of Fragrant Mountain describes Guanyin as the daughter o...