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42

Cast Iron Figure of a Guanyin Seated on a Fo Lion, 18th/19th C.

Currency:EUR Category:Collectibles Start Price:3,800.00 EUR Estimated At:6,000.00 - 7,500.00 EUR
Cast Iron Figure of a Guanyin Seated on a Fo Lion, 18th/19th C.
Cast iron
China, 18th/19th century
Figure of Bodhisattva Guanyin on a crouching Fo lion
Seated in royal ease with pensive pose
The arm is supported by the raised right leg
Her head rests on her hand and eyes are closed
Pleated garment, whose hems are falling over the animal's back
High Tiara topknot with a small Amitayus
Height: 45 cm
Good condition
Provenance: Private collection, Germany

Guanyin

Guanyin, the Chinese goddess of mercy and compassion, counts among the most venerated figures in Buddhism and is highly respected in Asian cultures. Initially a male figure, it transformed over the centuries to a maternal goddess with wondrous healing powers who bestows solace and luck. As a bodhisattva, Guanyin denied herself entrance into nirvana when she heard the laments of the mortals and helpfully returned to earth. Her name roughly means ‘observer of the cries of the world’.

Fo Lions

Fo lions, also called guardian lions, enjoy high popularity in Chinese art. Their appearance is reminiscent of a mixture between a dragon and a lion. These mythical creatures usually come in pairs and were originally positioned to guard the entrance of Buddhist temples. In the arts and crafts, they are often refigured as doorknockers or decorative ceramic, marble, or bronze vessels.



Condition: The figure is good condition with usual signs of wear consistent with age such as traches of corrosion all around. The height measures 45 cm
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