Figure of Guanyin
Unknown Artist
Medium
Porcelain
Dimensions
H. 23 in. (58.4 cm); W. 10 1/2 in. (26.7 cm); D. 7 3/4 in. (19.7 cm)
Classification
Ceramics
Culture & Period
China · Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Bequest of Benjamin Altman, 1913
Accession Number
14.40.218
Tags
Art Historical Context
This elegant porcelain figure of Guanyin, the bodhisattva of infinite compassion in Chinese Buddhism, stands as a serene testament to Ming dynasty artistry (1368–1644). Measuring 23 inches tall, the sculpture captures Guanyin in a graceful, contemplative pose, embodying the deity's role as a merciful protector who hears the cries of the suffering. Crafted by an unknown artist, it exemplifies the Ming period's mastery of porcelain, a medium that reached unparalleled refinement during this era, with its smooth, translucent body fired at high temperatures for exceptional durability and subtle she...