Lot 150 明 木雕彩繪水月觀音像 | A Chinese polychrome wood figure of Water Moon Guanyin

明 木雕彩繪水月觀音像 | A Chinese polychrome wood figure of Water Moon Guanyin

Ming dynasty

GBP 1,000

Estimate: £1,500 - £2,500

51.5cm high

Expected old wear with flaking t surface, lacquered pigment and small chips to edges and extremities, including the little finger of the figure and a shallow surface chip to crown. A number of expected age crack, including a large split to the knee. A portion around the bent knee and resting hand of the figure, together with a part of the overhang, appears to have been broken off and has traces of very old repair, although it's also possible that these are a network of age cracks that have been reinforced with putty, as there are traces of old reinforcement to a few of the age cracks to the back.

A Chinese polychrome wood figure of Water Moon Guanyin
Ming dynasty
The graceful figure seated atop a tall plinth shaped like a stylised rock, posed in rajalilasana (royal ease), wearing a flowing skirt and a shawl draped over her shoulders terminating in long ribbons cascading down onto the plinth, her hair styled in a high chignon behind the tall flower crown, painted in red, green, yellow, and blue pigment, 51.5cm high.
明 木雕彩繪水月觀音像
Some scholars suggest that Water Moon Guanyin represents one of the manifestations of Avalokiteśvara described in the Lotus Sutra, specifically corresponding to the twelfth form, of a lay practitioner, as reflected in the figure’s relaxed posture. This depiction is also attributed to the Tang dynasty artist Zhou Fang, who is believed to have been the first to portray the bodhisattva in this manner. The pose symbolises the Water Moon manifestation, interpreted as an image of the deity within his Pure Land or personal paradise. This realm, known as Mount Potalaka, was traditionally thought to be located on an island south of India.
一些學者認為，「水月觀音」代表《法華經》中所描述的觀世音菩薩的一種化現，特別對應於第十二種形象，即以在家修行者的形象呈現，這一點也體現在造像所展現的自在坐姿之中。此類造像亦被歸功於唐代畫家周昉，據信他是最早以此方式描繪觀音菩薩的人。這一姿態象徵「水月化現」，被解讀為神祇在其淨土或個人理想境界中的形象。此境界被稱為「普陀洛迦山」，通常上被認為位於印度以南的一座島嶼上。
以下内容由AI翻译：
【名称】
明 木雕彩繪水月觀音像
【年代】
明
【描述】
观音优雅地坐在一个高台座上，呈皇家自在坐姿，穿着飘逸的裙子，肩上披着一条长带子垂落在台座上，头发梳成高髻，头戴花冠，涂有红、绿、黄、蓝颜料，高51.5厘米。
【品相】
表面有预期的老化剥落，漆色和边缘有小缺损，包括人物的小指和头冠上的浅表层缺损。有多处预期的老化裂纹，包括膝盖处的大裂缝。人物弯曲的膝盖和休息的手的部分，以及一部分悬垂部分，似乎曾断裂并有非常古老的修复痕迹，但也有可能是这些老化裂纹被腻子加固了，因为背部的一些老化裂纹有旧的加固痕迹。