A JAPANESE GILT-LACQUERED FIGURE OF BODHISATTVA BYOIRIN KANNON

A JAPANESE GILT-LACQUERED FIGURE OF BODHISATTVA BYOIRIN KANNON

Edo Period, 18th / 19th Century

The Bodhisattva modelled seated in the Royal Ease position atop a lotus base, with gilt-painted flowing robes slung across one shoulder, framed by a teardrop-shaped mandorla carved with swirling motifs and covered in gilt lacquer

29cm high

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NOTE:

Kannon is a popular Buddhist deity. She is often depicted as female in East Asia, but South Asian renditions of Kannon are also known to be male. In the Japanese Buddhist tradition, Kannon is the bodhisattva to pray to when one is suffering or needs a wish to be granted. In Japan, there are several different types of Kannon such as ‘thousand arm’ Kannon and ‘White robe’ Kannon. The name ‘Nyoirin’ Kannon is said to represent both the sacred jewel (nyoi hoju), said to be capable of granting any wish, and the Buddhist dharma wheel (Horin).