Continuing the tradition of offering examples of Buddhist Art, a highlight of Gianguan Auction’s sale on 18 March is a late Ming-dyansty, porcelain Guanyin bearing the mark of He Chaozong. The 17th-century potter worked in the tradition of the Dehua kilns, notable for the blanc-de-chine glaze that was ultimately copied by Meissen. This figure of Guanyin is finished overall in an ivory-tinged glaze. The figure sits in dhyanasana pose on a plinth depicting lohans with lotus blossoms and was likely created as a commission for a specific monastery. Its fingers, raised in abaya mudra, are long and delicately shaped, an indication of male energy. Notably, the deity possesses attributes not only of Guanyin but also of Avalokitesvara, Buddha, Bodhisattva, Sakyamuni or Maitreya. The back of the figure is impressed with four characters within a square, the seal of He Chaozong Yin. The blanc-de- chine Guanyin measures 15¼ inches tall.
For more details on this and other objects of votive art in the sale, visit the Gianguan Auctions catalogue available at gianguanauctions.com.