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Subject:Old Kuanyin or Kannon
Posted By: Edward Shumaker Fri, Apr 07, 2006 IP: 68.155.238.122 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. |
Subject:Re: Old Kuanyin or Kannon
Posted By: njg Sun, Apr 09, 2006 Hi Ed |
Subject:Re: Old Kuanyin or Kannon
Posted By: njg Sun, Apr 09, 2006 Just a quick one to stop you wasting time on looking at the Guan Yin's and Kannon's. |
Subject:Re: Old Kuanyin or Kannon
Posted By: Edward Shumaker Sun, Apr 09, 2006 Additional Photos, please let me know if additional photos are required. |
Subject:Re: Old Kuanyin or Kannon
Posted By: njg Tue, Apr 11, 2006 Hi Ed |
Subject:Re: Old Kuanyin or Kannon
Posted By: Edward Shumaker Tue, Apr 11, 2006 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. |
Subject:Re: Old Kuanyin or Kannon
Posted By: njg Wed, Apr 12, 2006 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. |
Subject:Re: Old Kuanyin or Kannon
Posted By: fred Fri, Apr 21, 2006 new to my eye. |
Subject:Re: Old Kuanyin or Kannon
Posted By: fred Fri, Apr 21, 2006 Definately Chinese. |
Subject:Re: Old Kuanyin or Kannon
Posted By: Edward Shumaker Sun, Apr 23, 2006 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. |
Subject:Re: Old Kuanyin or Kannon
Posted By: njg Tue, Apr 25, 2006 Hi Ed |
Subject:Re: Old Kuanyin or Kannon
Posted By: Edward Shumaker Tue, Apr 25, 2006 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. |
Subject:Re: Old Kuanyin or Kannon
Posted By: njg Wed, Apr 26, 2006 The picture is nothing like your statue in any respect. |
Subject:Re: Old Kuanyin or Kannon
Posted By: Edward Shumaker Wed, Apr 26, 2006 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. |
Subject:Re: Old Kuanyin or Kannon
Posted By: njg Sat, Apr 29, 2006 A further reference for you. |
Subject:Re: Old Kuanyin or Kannon
Posted By: Phillip Adams Sun, Apr 30, 2006 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. |
Subject:Re: Old Kuanyin or Kannon
Posted By: Edward Shumaker Mon, May 01, 2006 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? |
Subject:Re: Old Kuanyin or Kannon
Posted By: njg Mon, May 01, 2006 Perhaps to emphasize the Buddhist aspects |
Subject:Re: Old Kuanyin or Kannon
Posted By: njg Mon, May 01, 2006 The Guanyin was both the Goddess of Wisdom and Compassion in Chinese and born from a tear of Avalokitesvara. |
Subject:Actually...
Posted By: James Wilson Wed, Jul 09, 2008 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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