Guanyin Standing on Dragon – Gilt & Polychrome Wood, Southern China
Southern China (Fujian/Guangdong), late Ming–early Qing, ca. 1650–1750. Single-block carved wood Guanyin standing on a dragon, with remnants of red, blue, and green polychromy and original fire gilding. Historic base consolidation with old cement-like infill. H 81 × W 47 cm, 7.6 kg. Old, stable condition with age-consistent wear; no modern overpainting detected.
Issued by: 1stbuddha
Object: Guanyin Standing on a Dragon
Inventory / SKU: 310
Date: ca. 1650–1750
Region: Southern China (Fujian / Guangdong)
Material: Carved wood with original polychromy and fire gilding
Dimensions: H 81 cm × W 47 cm | Weight ≈ 7.6 kg
Technical Examination
The sculpture was examined under UV illumination and stereomicroscopy.
The surface reveals granular gold residues embedded within an aged brown lacquer matrix, with scattered red iron-oxide particles beneath. The texture shows natural oxidation and no signs of modern coatings.
Under UV light, the gilded zones display a soft yellow-green fluorescence typical of oxidized natural resins, confirming the presence of original organic lacquer over genuine gold. No blue or white synthetic fluorescence was detected.
Microscopic evidence confirms that the gilding corresponds to traditional 24 kt fire-gilding, applied by the mercury-amalgam technique on a conductive lacquer ground specially prepared for wooden statuary. The granular crystalline structure and embedded gold residues are consistent with 17th–18th-century Southern Chinese craftsmanship.
No traces of modern overpainting, consolidation, or synthetic binders were observed.
Condition
Stable and complete, with age-consistent wear, scattered pigment losses, and minor lacunary zones. Surface patina and oxidation confirm long-term exposure in a temple context.
Iconography
Depicts Nanhai Guanyin (Guanyin of the Southern Sea) standing on a dragon or makara, protector of seafarers and merchants. This iconography is characteristic of coastal Fujian and Guangdong Buddhist workshops during the late Ming to early Qing transition.
Valuation
Retail valuation (1stbuddha):
€ 14 000 – € 18 000
(Value based on comparative 17th–18th-century South-Chinese polychrome and gilded wooden statuary, verified by UV and microscopic analysis using museum-grade analytical methods.)
Guanyin Standing on Dragon – Gilt & Polychrome Wood, Southern China
Description
Guanyin Standing on a Dragon — Southern China, Late Ming–Early Qing (ca. 1650–1750)
A refined Nanhai Guanyin carved from a single block of wood, standing gracefully upon a dragon — an image closely associated with coastal Southern China and the protection of seafarers. Traces of original polychromy (red, blue, green) and fire gilding survive in protected areas, the surface presenting a deep, naturally matured patina with devotional wear on high points.
Iconography & Style
- Deity: Guanyin (Avalokiteśvara) in the Southern Sea manifestation, Nanhai Guanyin.
- Base: Elaborate dragon carving symbolising protection and guidance.
- Period: Late Ming to early Qing; provincial yet confident workmanship with slender hands and softly modelled facial features.
Technique & Surface
- Carving: Single-block wooden construction with historic stability repairs at the base (old cement-like infill).
- Paint & Gilding: Multiple pigment layers documented under magnification; remains of original gilding.
The surface shows remains of original 24 kt gold leaf, applied by traditional mercury amalgam technique. The gilded areas exhibit the characteristic fine-grained texture and deep golden hue consistent with high-purity gold. - Condition: Old, stable; natural oxidation, age-consistent abrasions; no modern overspray or synthetic coating detected.
Dimensions
Height: 81 cm | Width: 47 cm | Weight: approx. 7.6 kg
Notes: Dating and regional attribution are supported by construction, pigment/gilding residues, and iconography typical of Southern Chinese temple sculpture in the 17th–18th century.
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Guanyin Standing on Dragon – Gilt & Polychrome Wood, Southern China
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