Polychrome Guanyin Head

As the embodiment of compassion, Guanyin is the most beloved enlightened being in China. Known as the Goddess of Mercy, she is the female bodhisattva form taken by Avalokiteśvara in eastern Buddhism and is instantly available to all who call upon her with their mind. Though commonly depicted as a woman in Chinese statuary, Guanyin can take many forms depending on the devotee’s needs and is often invoked to encourage fertility or alleviate suffering.

This larger-than-life wood carving of Guanyin depicts the goddess with an elaborate headdress and a serene expression of meditation. The carved wooden substrate is finished with a thin layer of plaster and painted in a subdued, neutral palette with a wonderfully worn texture. With a full-moon face, downcast eyes, and a faint smile, the face of Guanyin commands her surroundings with calm, serenity, and elegance.