Chinese Tibetan Ming Dynasty gilt bronze and semi-precious stones inlaid Bodhisattva figure of Guanyin standing Buddha, in manifestation of Ekadashamukha Mandala, the Circle of the Eleven Faced Lord Gazing on the World. All faces has well-defined, and naturally painted, arched brows above elongated, almond-shaped eyes, very resplendent, smiling, peaceful and radiant. With eight hands, the first pair at the heart in manidhara gesture, hold a unseen precious jewel. The three right hands extended to the side are in the mudra of generosity. Each face is adorned with a crown and earrings. Necklaces and bracelets adorn the neck and limbs and the lower body is wrapped with a skirt. The jewelry have semi-precious stone inlaid. With eleven faces rising upward in groups of three, the face at the top is that of the Buddha Amitabha. Each face has two eyes and long black hair flows across the shoulders. The multi leveled crown formed from nine heads, the wisdom of all Buddha's, is the Lord, source of all refuge gathered as one, in essence the Guru in the aspect of Amitabha, in the manner of the Lord of the Family. Standing on straight legs, upon a carved gilt bronze lotus throne. Extensive trace of gilt remain on surface, with hints of dark-blue pigment on hair. The bronze is bright and lustrous as the light is easily reflected from the well-polished surfaces. The plaques split in the middle section, and fitted perfectly upon each other. There is a light grey patina noted in several creases.


The underside with incised Quadra-petal flori-form visvavajra mark and centralized DaiJi


Measurements: Height 10.75" Width: 5.5"

Lot Notes:

Guanyin or Guan Yin is the most commonly used Chinese translation of the bodhisattva known as 'Avalokitesvara'. Guanyin refers to the Buddhist bodhisattva associated with compassion and venerated chiefly by followers of Mahayana Buddhist schools as practiced in the sinosphere. Guanyin also refers to the bodhisattva as adopted by other Eastern religions such as Daoism, where she is revered as an immortal, as well as Chinese folk religions, where the mythical accounts about Guanyin's origins do not associate with the AvalokiteSvara described in Buddhist sutras.[citation needed]. She is often known as the "Goddess of Mercy" or the Mercy Goddess. The Chinese name Guanyin, is short for Guanshiyin, which means "[The One Who] Perceives the Sounds of the World". Some Buddhists believe that when one of their adherents departs from this world, they are placed by Guanyin in the heart of a lotus, and then sent to the western Pure Land of Sukhavati. Guanyin is often referred to as the "most widely beloved Buddhist Divinity" with miraculous powers to assist all those who pray to her, as is said in the Lotus Sutra and Karandavyuha Sutra. Some Buddhist and Christian observers have commented on the similarity between Guanyin and the Blessed Virgin Mary. This can be attributed to the representation of Guanyin holding a child in Chinese art and sculpture; it is believed that Guanyin is the patron saint of mothers and grants parents filial children, this apparition is popularly known as the "Child-Sending Guanyin"