Ming/Qing Metal Seated Guanyin

This is a metal sculpture of the Bodhisattva Guanyin. Here, Guanyin appears meditative and relaxed, seated informally on a pedestal crossing his right leg on his left. Wearing a crown of Buddhas with his master Amitabha at the centre, he places his left hand on his lap and his right on his knee, forming the Dhyana and varada mudra respectively. Simplistic keyura hangs from his chest, highlighting his elegant robes and the three folds on his neck.
As the Bodhisattva of Mercy and Compassion, Guanyin has become extremely popular among the Chinese since his introduction to the region. To the mundane, Guanyin represents unconditional love and kindness, virtues that are desperately needed for this world. It is said that when Guanyin was ascending into the spirit realm he heard the cries of suffering humans and chose to return to this world. Thus, Guanyin makes helping others reach enlightenment his eternal mission.

There are several parts with visible oxidisation. Together with the reddish colour of the material, they suggest the use of ferrous metal in the production of the sculpture. – (HK.2012)