The South Sea Guanyin was originally seated on a rocky throne to represent the shore of his home in the mythical island of Potala. His right leg is raised, the arm resting on the folded knee in a relaxed position. With an expression of grace, calmness, and compassion, the Guanyin is especially appealing as the "guide of souls" who offers hope for salvation.

<i>Year in Review for 1984</i>. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (April 3-May 5, 1985).

Year in Review for 1984

A carved wood statue depicts a seated Guanyin. The figure rests their right arm on a raised knee, with the right hand and lower left arm broken off. They look down, a small circle inset into their forehead. Wearing an ornate crown and necklace over a bare chest, they are draped in flowing robes. Faded red and green paint reveal weathered wood beneath. Their left leg hangs down while their right knee is raised.

Yamanaka & Co., Inc., New York, NY, consigned to Sotheby Parke Bernet Galleries, New York, for auction

(Sotheby Parke Bernet Galleries, New York.  "Oriental Art: the Entire Stock of the New York Store with Additions from the Chicago Store of Yamanaka & Co., Inc.,"  Part I. May 24–27, 1944 sale. Lot 782)

Collection of Baron Jean Germain Léon Cassel van Doorn [1882–1952]

Florence J. Gould [1895–1983], Juan-les Pins, France

(Sotheby Parke Bernet, Monaco. "Porcelaines de Chine et Objets d'art Chinois: Succession de Florence J. Gould." June 27, 1984 sale. Lot 104. Sold to J. E. Eskenazi ,Ltd.)

(J. E. Eskenazi, Ltd., sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art)

The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH

Guanyin is a bodhisattva, associated with compassion, who is focused on the salvation of all sentient beings. This bodhisattva is often said to have delayed his own Buddhahood in order to assist others achieve Englightment.

Compassion

Other representations of the South Sea Guanyin may depict the infinitely compassionate being engaged in various activities, such as hovering over the sea as the savior of sailors.

Savior of Sailors

There is a rich diversity of how Guanyin is represented in Chinese Buddhist art. The South Sea Guanyin rendered in large wooden sculptures from the 12th through the 14th centuries is often seated in a graceful and relaxed position on the shore of his mythical home Potala. The calm pose expresses the tranquility of this meditative bodhisattva.

Seated Guanyin

觀音坐像

China, late Northern Song dynasty (960-1127) - Jin dynasty

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Seated Guanyin

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Seated Guanyin

觀音坐像

China, late Northern Song dynasty (960-1127) - Jin dynasty

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Seated Guanyin

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