Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara (Guanyin)

Dedication image, of Guanyin.
Surface: brown patina and traces of gilding.
Inscription.

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Historical period(s)
Sui dynasty, 599
Medium
Bronze with gilding
Dimensions
H x W: 10.8 x 4.9 cm (4 1/4 x 1 15/16 in)
Geography
China
Credit Line
Gift of Charles Lang Freer
Collection
Freer Gallery of Art Collection
Accession Number
F1911.141
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Metalwork, Sculpture
Type

Figure

Keywords
bodhisattva, Buddhism, China, Guanyin, lettering, Sui dynasty (581 - 618)
Provenance

To 1911
Kita Toranosuke, Kyoto, to 1911 [1]

From 1911 to 1919
Charles Lang Freer (1854-1919), purchased from Kita Toranosuke in 1911 [2]

From 1920
Freer Gallery of Art, gift of Charles Lang Freer in 1920 [3]

Notes:

[1] See Original Bronze List, S.I. 296, Freer Gallery of Art and Arthur M. Sackler Gallery Archives.

[2] See note 1.

[3] The original deed of Charles Lang Freer's gift was signed in 1906. The collection was received in 1920 upon the completion of the Freer Gallery.

Previous Owner(s) and Custodian(s)

Kita Toranosuke (C.L. Freer source)
Charles Lang Freer 1854-1919

Description

Dedication image, of Guanyin.
Surface: brown patina and traces of gilding.
Inscription.

Inscription(s)

The inscription, around the two sides of the lower dais, is as follows: "K'ai-huang shih-chiu-nien ssu-yueh nien-san-jih Lo Yun ching-tsao Kuah-shih-yin hsiang i-ch'u wai shang kuo fu mu t'o-sheng hsi-fang ho-chia ta-shao i-shih ch'eng fo" [Chn]. It can be translated: "On the 23rd day of the 4th month in the 19th year of K'ai-huang [May 23rd, 599], disciple Lo Yun respectfully had one statue of the image of Kuan-shih-yin made on behalf of his deceased parents [in the hope that they may] find refuge in the Western [Paradise], and on behalf of all members of his family [in the hope that they all may] attain Buddhahood at the same time."

Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
CC0 - Creative Commons (CC0 1.0)

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