Guanyin (Avalokiteshvara) Holding Lotus-Form Cup
Yuan dynasty (1279–1368), 14th century
Medium
Gilt copper alloy
Dimensions
25.5 × 19 × 14.2 cm (10 × 7 1/2 × 5 5/8 in.)
Classification
drinking vessel
Department
Arts of Asia
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
28112
Art Historical Context
This exquisite gilt copper alloy sculpture, titled *Guanyin (Avalokiteshvara) Holding Lotus- Cup*, hails from China's Yuan dynasty (12791368), a transformative era under Mongol rule when Buddhism flourished alongside innovative metalworking. Standing at 25.5 × 19 × 14.2 cm, the figure depicts Guanyin, the bodhisattva of compassionknown as Avalokiteshvara Sanskrit), gracefully cradling a lotus-form cup. Crafted in the 14th century, it the dynasty's cosmopolitan influences, blending Chinese artistry with Central Asian techniques. The medium—gilt copper alloy—highlights masterful lost-wax castin...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...