Lot 173, Auction 4/3/2026: Qing Dynasty Gilt Wood Figure of Child-Bringing Guanyin

$390.00

In stock

East Asia, China, Qing Dynasty, ca. 19th century CE. A deeply intimate Qing dynasty gilt and painted wood sculpture depicting Songzi Guanyin, the Child-Bringing Guanyin, shown seated and gently cradling an infant boy in her lap. Guanyin, among the most beloved figures in the Buddhist pantheon, appears here in her role as bestower of sons, a form that emerged in response to the profound cultural importance of male heirs in premodern China. Her expression is calm and inward, the softly modeled face conveying compassion and quiet assurance. Traces of gilding and polychrome remain across her robes, once richly painted in red, gold, and earthy tones, lending warmth and dignity to the composition. The infant rests securely against her body, rendered with tender simplicity, emphasizing protection, continuity, and hope. Size: 2.3″ L x 4″ W x 8.3″ H (5.8 cm x 10.2 cm x 21.1 cm)

Within Confucian family structure, sons were essential to the survival of lineage and the performance of ancestral rites. A male child ensured the continuation of family, clan, and ritual obligation across generations. In response to this fervently held belief, Songzi Guanyin became an especially powerful focus of devotion, prayed to for healthy children and intelligent male heirs. The most precious treasure in premodern China was not wealth or land, but a son to carry on the family legacy.

This sculpture was likely commissioned for private devotion by a wealthy household, perhaps by a woman seeking motherhood or the blessing of a male child. Its modest scale and intimate presentation suggest personal veneration rather than temple display, allowing the devotee to encounter Guanyin not as a distant deity, but as a compassionate presence within the domestic sphere. Marked by spiritual tenderness, cultural meaning, and sculptural restraint, this Songzi Guanyin stands as a moving expression of faith, aspiration, and the enduring human desire for continuity through generations.

Condition: Loss to proper right shoulder. Some areas of old, inactive insect damage, as well as nicks, chips, and abrasions as shown, all commensurate with age. Liberal remains of gilding and pigment with

Provenance: private Denver, Colorado, USA collection

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