Kangxi Biscuit Decorated Susancai Guanyin (KSC021301) |
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ca. 1662 – 1722 Kangxi period, Qing dynasty Porcelain biscuit decorated with famille verte enamels Height: 24 cm / 9.45 in Width: 14 cm / 5.5 in From a UK private collection; ex- Guest & Gray London [SOLD] A rare Kangxi susancai guanyin, made from molded biscuit porcelain with applique details, enameled in the famille verte palette, and then fired at a lower temperature. The figure of guanyin is rendered in a seated position, with her eyes meditative and downcast, and clothed in gorgeous draping robes decorated with chrysanthemum scrolls. She wears a beaded prayer necklace and bears on her lap a fly whisk (chenwei), a symbol of the bodhisattva’s grace and mercy (for she would love all creatures such that rather than harm a fly, she would merely whisk it away). Similar susancai guanyin figures are in the British Museum (1947,0712.313) and the Victoria and Albert Museum (C.1275&A-1910). Another is in the Shanghai Museum (see pages 232-233 figure 151 of “Kangxi Porcelain in the Shanghai Museum”, 1998). Another comparable figure sold at Sotheby’s (lot 331 sale n09006). |