Yulan Guanyin (魚籃觀音, Guanyin with the fish basket) on sea dragons - Boxwood (solid wood, Huangyangmu, 黄杨木) - China - Late Qing Dynasty to early Republican era (~1880–1930)

Yulan Guanyin (魚籃觀音 – Guanyin with the Fish Basket)

Masterfully hand-carved sculpture from solid boxwood (Huangyangmu), a rare and highly interesting variation of the Bodhisattva of Compassion.

The deity stands barefoot on a detailed Chinese sea dragon (Longwang, 龙王), rising powerfully from the waves. In her right hand she holds the iconographic braided wicker basket with fish, while her left bears a long, elegantly curved Ruyi scepter. Across her chest is the sacred Buddhist Wan symbol (Swastika 卍) as a sign of infinite virtue and spiritual purity.

The technical execution testifies to excellent craftsmanship: the flowing folds of the robes harmonize perfectly with the characteristic, angular-faceted cut of the hems and dragon scales, which are typical for the region’s carving workshops in Wenzhou (Zhejiang) around the turn of the century.

The flowing robe folds harmonize perfectly with the angular facet cuts of the hems and dragon scales, typical for the carving workshops of the Wenzhou region (Zhejiang) around the turn of the century.

This virtuosic dynamism in the base area is complemented by the sophisticated technique of openwork carving (透雕 – Toudiao): A circular, plastically carved opening artfully separates the wave relief in the foreground from the rising dragon body, giving the sculpture remarkable depth and lightness and symbolizing the swirling water tunnel from which the mythical creature emerges.

The original dark brown surface coating has, on exposed edges (face, hem edges, dragon nose), been gently worn through over generations, allowing the underlying honey-yellow natural wood to show beautifully. The rough, uneven hollowing of the core wood on the underside (base) testifies to traditional physical knowledge – it served to relieve stress to prevent heavy cracks in the dense trunk piece. Combined with the historical saw marks, this documents the untouched, decades-long collection history.

The figure is in excellent original condition and structurally completely stable. Minimal visible natural resin and lacquer joints, among others at the transition from scepter to body, are historical old restorations and emphasize the character of genuine natural material.

With a height of 31 cm/12.2 inches, it is a first-class, expressive exhibit of late Imperial China or the early Republic period. A museum masterpiece for collectors of high-end Asian art.

Provenance: in our old, well-kept German private collection since 1998
Boxwood (Solid wood, Huangyangmu, 黄杨木)
Height 310 mm, width 120 mm, depth 90 mm
Weight 620 g
Chinese School (Traditional craft from Wenzhou/Zhejiang)
Late Qing Dynasty to early Republic period (~1880–1930)

The figure will be carefully packed and shipped insured up to €500 with tracking

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