Lot 45, Auction 3/19/2026: Qing Marble Head of Guanyin (Bodhisattva of Mercy)

$390.00

In stock

East Asia, China, Qing Dynasty, ca. 19th century CE. A serene and quietly luminous marble head of Guanyin, carved with a softness that seems to slow the breath. The face is full and gently rounded, the eyes downcast in meditative calm, the lips forming the faintest suggestion of a compassionate smile. This restrained expression reflects the Qing dynasty taste for devotional imagery that favored inward stillness over dramatic gesture. The hair is drawn upward into a high chignon, carved with subtle, rhythmic striations that suggest both order and grace. At the crown, a simple knot anchors the composition, recalling Guanyin’s role as the Bodhisattva of Mercy, attentive yet detached, present yet transcendent. The carving favors smooth transitions over sharp definition, allowing light to move gently across the marble surface. Size: 3.3″ L x 3″ W x 4.8″ H (8.4 cm x 7.6 cm x 12.2 cm); 7.8″ H (19.8 cm) on included custom stand.

The stone itself displays a warm, creamy tonality with natural mottling and areas of soft translucence, qualities long prized in Chinese marble for religious sculpture. Minor surface wear and tonal variation are consistent with age and devotional handling, adding to the object’s quiet authority and historical presence. Such marble heads were often once part of larger figures or shrine assemblages, intended for private altars or small temple settings. Even in isolation, this head retains a powerful sense of spiritual focus, offering a distilled image of Guanyin as an embodiment of compassion, serenity, and enduring faith.

Condition: Fragment of a larger piece. Weathering with nicks and abrasions to surface as shown, all commensurate with age. Nice remaining detail with encrustations and deposits in areas.

Provenance: private New Jersey, USA collection

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