Carved Wood Bust of Guanyin with Amitabha Crown

A large carved wood bust of Guanyin, the bodhisattva of compassion. The small seated Buddha in the crown is Amitabha, and it is the detail that identifies the figure as Guanyin rather than any other bodhisattva. He sits on a lotus within an openwork headdress of scrolling foliage, cut through and undercut so light passes behind it. The hair is worked in fine combed striations gathered into a high looped topknot, and the carving continues fully around the back, where the knot is finished in the round and the robes carry their own fold structure. The face has downcast eyes and a faint smile, the forehead set with a red cabochon at the urna, the earlobes long and pierced. Robes fall in soft folds from both shoulders and three tiers of beaded swags cross the chest, caught at intervals by carved florets set with green cabochons. The piece is solid wood, built up from joined sections rather than cut from one block, and finished to a deep polish that brings up real variation in the timber. It reads near black in the recesses, warm reddish brown across the face and robes, and lighter where the light catches the shoulders and the crown. Because it is carved and finished on every side it can stand free in a room rather than against a wall. This is a decorative carving rather than an antique devotional figure. There is no consecration cavity, no gesso or polychrome, and the bust format is a modern one. We would rather tell you that than let you assume otherwise. It is well cut, it is heavy, and at 61 cm it holds a room.

Estimated delivery: SGD 60

Delivery is arranged islandwide and quoted separately. Full condition notes are provided for every piece.