Title
Grotto with Guanyin
Year/Period
17th century
Region
Dehua, Fujian province, China
Object Type
Material
Dimension
Gross measurement: H: 32.5,
x W: 28.5,
x D: 10.8cm
x W: 28.5,
x D: 10.8cm
Accession No.
2007-52980
Collection of
Credit Line
Acquired with funds from Shaw Foundation, through ACM Gala 2007
This sculpture depicts a seated Guanyin, the Goddess of Mercy, with her two attendants amidst a grotto. The pair of attendants represents the boy pilgrim Sudhana, also know as Shancai Tongzhi, and the dragon princess. Representations of Guanyin accompanied by this pair have been seen in Chinese art from the 12th centuries onwards. The craggy rocks and lotus flowers rising through swirling waves at the base at a dramatic quality to the piece.The lotus flowers represent purity while the mountainous form can be seen as a symbol of Guanyin’s legendary island home, Mount Putuo (普陀山) located off the coast of Zhejiang province.
