Head of Guanyin
Unknown Artist
Medium
Stone
Dimensions
H. 15 in. (38.1 cm); W. 8 3/4 in. (22.2 cm); D. 7 1/2 in. (19.1 cm) Height (with base): 19 3/4 in. (50.2 cm); Wt. 46.5 lbs. (21.1 kg)
Classification
Sculpture
Culture & Period
China · Ming dynasty (1368–1644)
Department
Asian Art
Museum
Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York, NY
Credit
Rogers Fund, 1918
Accession Number
18.56.39
Tags
Art Historical Context
Behold the serene *Head of Guanyin a masterful stone sculpture from China's Ming dynasty (13681644). Carved from stone, this poignant fragment measures 15 inches high (with base, 19¾ inches) and weighs a substantial 46.5 pounds, evoking the solid devotion of its era. Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of infinite compassion, is a beloved figure in Chinese, often depicted with gentle features symbolizing mercy and enlightenment. During the Ming period, renowned for its artistic refinement and imperial patronage of Buddhism, such sculptures adorned temples and shrines, inspiring worshippers with their tr...