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I recently acquired this statue of Kuanyin, and was needing help in determining the age, as well as verifying if it is of Chinese or Japanese origin. It is carved wood with gesso applied relief: there are still traces of gold gilt, especially at the bracelet area. There is also a small ammount of red pigment on the crown area. It appears to be a temple statue that was damaged in a fire some time in its history. The wood is showing heavy signs of age: in the areas where the cracks appear, it has lost almost all trace of the original grain, and is also quite light for its size, suggesting heavy drying. I can tell it isn't teak or elm, but past that I'm not sure. I know it's an older style, due to elements of masculinity, such as the broad shoulders, thick hand, etc., such as was used in the earlier periods, and the eyes being partially opened. The size is 74 cm tall, 15 cm at the shoulder, 9 cm at the waist, 13 cm at the hip, and the widest part of the base is 23 cm.

Any help would be appreciated.

Ed

Hi Ed

Couple of questions for you.

1. Does the figure have female breasts?

2. Do the eye's have any form of inlay? Can you also confirm the eye's are just slightly open.

3. Is there any sign of flesh rings around the neck?

4. Is there sign's that there has been an ulna on the forehead.

5. I can see the bangle on the wrist, Is there any on the upper arms.

6. In your view does the pleating which occurs in the bottom half of the robe, extend in style into the upper torso.

7. From the photo I can't tell if the figure's right hand is held open flat or finger's upwards.


Nick

Just a quick one to stop you wasting time on looking at the Guan Yin's and Kannon's.

I believe this is a manifestation of the Bodhisattva Manjusri, Bodhisattva of Compasion which is a mantle which the Guan Yin does in later periods adopt as one of her traits.

The gold leafing is iconographic, the Manjusri Bodhisattva is the colour of the Sun, or a lion's eye. The lion is the animal associated with Manjusri and is often depicted seated upon one.

Nick


Could you provide a photo of the back of the head please?

Additional Photos, please let me know if additional photos are required.

Ed

Hi Ed

Another question

Regarding the headgear.
Does the headgear extend to form part of that which Manjusri is holding.

Nick

Nick- Here is some additional photos taken. I am not sure how to answer your question in regards to the head gear, but I do know that the tassels extend from the crown and come to rest on either side of the shoulder area. There is some observations that should be pointed out: The torso and upper chest area lacks clothing, only the necklace is shown. There seems to be small breast in the chest area, the other factor is the lack of any visible ear lobes.

At first I thought the statue is Mongolian, but perhaps it is Javanese? I am at a total lost here, any help from you or any one, is very much appreciated. Also, I am not a dealer, but a very dedicated art collector of Asian antiques; the value of an art object is no concern to me, but the history and the true story is everything to me.

Saying this, I hope for the mercy of any scholar who may better understand, just what it is that I have. Please better explain your point Nick, and what leads you to your conclusion.

Ed

The hairsyle is very distinct, not often used. I have only seen two examples and both are Japanese 6th - 8th century AD. The Japanese were coping the style of mainstream Buddhiusm at Dunhuang.


The reason I asked about the headgear as this is a feature of Northen Wei apsares and it could have been important as to dating.

The features of the face, the slight fattening of the face is very much in the Nepalese and Tibetan manner.
The lack of neck rings is a feature of the Western Xia dynasty.

The reason why you are having a hard time dating the statue and place of possible origin is there is hardly any identified from this period. What was produced, was destroyed.

The statue although Chinese looking, has no Chinese iconography in it. The statue is Mayahana Buddhist prior to the influence of Chan (Theravada) Buddhism.

A Western Xia statue of the Bodhisattva of Compassion, Manjusri. Date 6 - 8 th century AD.

Nick

new to my eye.

Definately Chinese.

Hi, Fred- Thank you for the insight, but another opinion has prevailed. A Phd, has it dated to the Sui dynasty to very early Tang. He noted some museum examples in China for my consideration. The distinctive hairstyle and cloud motifs, and the crown area as well as the head being slightly larger for the body portions are key elements in the date.

Once again, thank you for the insight.

Ed

Hi Ed
I considered Sui dynasty, but dismissed the Sui on stylistic grounds, lack of neck rings etc. I have had another look at Sui dynasty Buddhas and I still stand by Western Xia dynasty.

There are certain elements in the statue that could be considered Sui dynasty, the Western Xia is a further development of the Buddhist style which was occuring over in the Gansu corridor and one style flows into another.

All Sui dynasty statue's at Dunhuang have neck rings.

Nick

Hi, Nick- I think what is needed at this point, is a little help from my China contact, if he would be kind to give some historical photos, along with evidence from your end to support and validate your theory.

In researching the hairstyles of the Sui and early Tang periods, I have a pictured example for consideration.

Ed

The picture is nothing like your statue in any respect.

I sent you references through the email system.


Nick

Have fun dating it.

Hi, Nick- I meant photo examples, and museum exhibits. At least we could make comparisons, and if my China contact would help with some photos from reference works, then we can better understand with relative conclusions. I appreciate your thoughts and hard work.

Ed

A further reference for you.

Great Painter's of China by Max Loehr
ISBN0-7148-2008-3

Fig 23, page 43
Detail of Court Ladies from a mural in the tomb of the Princess Yung-t'ai. 706 AD, Sian.

The detail can be seen in the Shensi Provincial Museum.

Nick

You should also note that the Sui were more inclined to representations of Padmapani than Manjusri. Hence the lack of lotus on the left shoulder.

I am sorry to add nothing re authenticity to this thread; but would like to comment on the nexus between Kuanyin and Manjusri as raised by Nick.
As I understand it, the two most important bodhisattvas in Buddhism are
Avalokitesvara and Manjusri representing compassion and wisdom respectively. I don't believe there is any relationship between Manjusri and Kuanyin.
Worship of Avalokitesvara as the embodiment of compassion originated in India in early times and in the Indian context Avalokitesvara is a male and has many forms. [Padmapaani - the lotus bearer, Sadaksari of whom the Dali Lama is believed to be a re-incarnation etc. etc.] As Budhism spread east, Avalokitesvara became androgynous and finally in the case of Kuanyin in China and Kannon in Japan female.
Phillip Adams

Hi, Phil- Thank you for the insight, and to Nick for the reference. Any thoughts on why the carving is well done in certain areas only?

Ed

Perhaps to emphasize the Buddhist aspects

The Guanyin was both the Goddess of Wisdom and Compassion in Chinese and born from a tear of Avalokitesvara.

After the demise of the Western Xia and the strengthening of Chan (Theravada Buddhism) within the Gansu corridor is very much when the sinification of Dieites occur.

The Guan Yin has a far more ancient history than Buddhism itself as she was once male and the Gatekeeper to the Western Sky, a constellation.

The only connection is that the Guan Yin in China adopts the mantle of Goddess of Wisdom and Compassion.

Lets not forget the Green and White Tara.

The Manjusri was worshipped in China on Mount Wu Tai Shan in Chiangsi province and was he who turned the prayer wheel. It was a centre for pilgrims from all over China.
The mountain is a chain of 5 peaks and later Chinese translators of the Avatamsaka Sutra inserted into the original text a passage stating that the mountain was the ancient residence of Manjusri. In Indian tradition Manjusri is also known as Panchachira, which funny enough means "Five Crests".
In Japanese Zen he is known as Monju.
He is oft depicted with a crown of 5 peaks and 5 lotuses woven into the hair.
There is also over 30 mandalas of the Mahayana tradition that Manjusri is part of.
He is also shown in 13 different forms, patron of arts and sciences, supreme master of eloquence etc.

Quite often especially in the past, Manjusri and Guan Yin has very frequently been mixed up and are still being mixed up. In particular art from the 4th - 12th centuries. A lot of people see a seated statue which looks a later Guan Yin and use the later Guan Yin's to depict her in a period where she did not exist in the form she does now.

Another way of putting it, how many people would look at this statue and immediately put it down as a Guan Yin (not many).

If you look at the head , a crest of 5 peaks, below the all encompassing symbol of AUM.
A symbol which can be read using 1, 3 , 5 , 7 syllables etc. 8 precious jewels to the necklace representing a spoke of the prayer wheel which he turns. He would look a lot better with a book or a flaming sword. The numbers 40 and 80 should be in the statue somewhere.

Guan Yin and the Moon in Royal ease pose from the Tang Dynasty. No, I don't think so. Manjusri. Get the point.

Guan Yin also gets mixed up with another Chinese Diety. Tian Xia Mu, Xi Wang Mu, the Earth Mother Goddess.

Nick

Actually, out of the 33 different Kannon Bosatsu forms in Japan, only 3 are female and they are rarely seen. If you look at many of the old statues depicting the more freequently encountered Kannon forms in Japan (Senju, Juichimen, Sho, and Nyoirin), you will often see his mustache and beard or at least remnants of them. This is apparent on many of the Kannon statues in my collection. That being said, the depictions are still have a very androgynous feel to them. I hope this helps.

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