The Cleveland Museum of Art

Collection Online as of April 19, 2024

Seated Guanyin

Seated Guanyin

late 1100s–1200s
(960-1127) - Jin dynasty (1115-1234)
wood with polychromy and gilding
Overall: 138 cm (54 5/16 in.)
Purchase from the J. H. Wade Fund 1984.70
Location: 241C Chinese Buddhist Sculptures

Did You Know?

After acquisition, the CMA conservator meticulously used surgical knives and etching tools to uncover the sculpture's original polychromy and gilding, hidden beneath layers of protective varnish and paint.

Description

The South Sea Guanyin was originally seated on a rocky throne to represent the shore of his home in the mythical island of Potala. His right leg is raised, the arm resting on the folded knee in a relaxed position. With an expression of grace, calmness, and compassion, the Guanyin is especially appealing as the "guide of souls" who offers hope for salvation.
  • ? by 1943–May 1944
    Yamanaka & Co., Inc., New York, NY, consigned to Sotheby Parke Bernet Galleries, New York, for auction
    May 24–27, 1944
    (Sotheby Parke Bernet Galleries, New York. "Oriental Art: the Entire Stock of the New York Store with Additions from the Chicago Store of Yamanaka & Co., Inc.," Part I. May 24–27, 1944 sale. Lot 782)
    after 1944–by 1958
    Collection of Baron Jean Germain Léon Cassel van Doorn [1882–1952]
    after 1952–1984
    Florence J. Gould [1895–1983], Juan-les Pins, France
    June 27, 1984
    (Sotheby Parke Bernet, Monaco. "Porcelaines de Chine et Objets d'art Chinois: Succession de Florence J. Gould." June 27, 1984 sale. Lot 104. Sold to J. E. Eskenazi ,Ltd.)
    June 27-September 24, 1984
    (J. E. Eskenazi, Ltd., sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art)
    September 24, 1984–
    The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH
  • Yamanaka & Company. Collection of Chinese and Other Far Eastern Art. New York, N.Y.: [Printed by the John B. Watkins Co., New York], 1943. no. 408
    Sotheby Parke Bernet Inc., New York. Oriental Art, Part I, Liquidation of the Entire Stock of the New York Store with Additions from the Chicago Store of Yamanaka & Co., Inc.. May 24–27, 1944. Reproduced: p. 151, Lot no. 782
    Wilson, Philip and Alison Brand. Art at Auction: The Year at Sotheby's 1983-84. London: Sotheby's Publications, 1984. Reproduced: p. 385
    Sotheby Parke Bernet. Monaco. Porcelaines de Chine et objets d'art chinois: [succession de Florence J. Gould, provenant de la villa a Cannes, el Patio] ; mercredi 27 juin 1984. June 27, 1984. Mentioned: p. 104; Reproduced: p. 105, Lot no. 1452
    Guo li gu gong bo wu yuan 國立故宮博物院. Hai wai yi zhen. fo xiang [海外遺珎. 佛像 = Chinese art in overseas collections. Buddhist sculpture]. Taibei Shi: Guo li gu gong bo wu yuan, 1990. Reproduced: p. 150
    Turner, Evan H. Object Lessons: Cleveland Creates an Art Museum. Cleveland: Cleveland Museum of Art, 1991. Reproduced: p. 185
    Sun, Di 孙迪, editor. Zhongguo liu shi hai wai Fo jiao zao xiang zong he tu mu [中国流失海外佛教造像总合图目= Comprehensive Illustrated Catalogue of Chinese Buddhist Statues in Overseas Collections]. Beijing: Wai wen chu ban she, 2005. vol.7, 1348
    Eskenazi, Giuseppe and Hajni Elias. A Dealer's Hand: The Chinese Art World Through the Eyes of Giuseppe Eskenazi. London: Scala Publishers Ltd., 2012. Reproduced: p. 96, fig. 90
    Chung, Anita. "Re-Emergence: New Chinese Galleries and Art Acquisitions of The Cleveland Museum of Art." Orientations 44, no. 8 (November/December 2013): 64-75. Reproduced: p. 64
  • Year in Review for 1984. The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (organizer) (April 3-May 5, 1985).
  • {{cite web|title=Seated Guanyin|url=false|author=|year=late 1100s–1200s|access-date=19 April 2024|publisher=Cleveland Museum of Art}}

Source URL:

https://www.clevelandart.org/art/1984.70