Een Chinese blanc de Chine figuur van Guanyin, Kangxi

H 22,5 cm

Provenance:

- Ex-collection Robert Mc Pherson (n° 26592, link).

A Kangxi (1662-1722) Blanc de Chine Porcelain, Dehua Kilns, Fujian Province, Late 17th. This Blanc de Chine porcelain group depicts Guanyin holding a child, with her acolytes either side and a dragon below. The mould made construction which is rather lightly potted, combined with a small amount of hand-work indicates that this model was made towards the end of the 17th century rather than earlier. Figures of Guanyin are by far the most common of all Blanc de Chine figures and indeed one of the most common images in Chinese figurative art. Guanyin was the Goddess of mercy, She was especially revered in the area where this figure was produced ; Dehua in Fujian Province. But her origins stem from Tibetan Buddhism, she was originally the patron saint of Tibetan Buddhism `Avalokitesvara`. Guanyin is actually the shorter form of the name Guan shi yin, which means “one who observes the voices of the world.” True to her name, Guanyin listens to and understands the worries that plague man’s existence. Because of her mercy and generosity, Guanyin is the most-loved of China`s divinities, she is the one people turn to for assistance in their everyday lives. Guanyin is specially venerated by those who are hoping to have children or those who are about to set out for sea. Guanyin is usually portrayed wearing a white cape. On her head is a crown in the style of the Amitabha-buddha. She is shown with a child on her lap, flanked by her two attendants, Longnu (girl) and Shancai (boy). She is flanked by two rocky pedestals, one supporting a book, the other a vase. Guanyin has been given the same qualities as the Virgin Mary of Catholic theology, which is why she is sometimes portrayed holding a child in her arms. Indeed some Blanc de Chine figures are of the the Virgin Mary with child, an interesting mix of East and West. While the worship of Guanyin in could be traced historically from India, she is the star of countless legends and folk tales in China. Guanyin`s home on earth was the Putuo mountains, located on an island on China’s eastern coast to the south of Shanghai. In China, Putuo-shan is one of the most sacred places in Buddhism and the temple dedicated to Guanyin on the mountain is one of the most important pilgrimage site for Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. Guanyin`s birth is celebrated on the 19th day of February, and her enlightenment is celebrated on the 19th of September. On those days, the pilgrims flock to Putuo mountain.