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Guanyin
Mark ascribed to: Pieter Adriaensz Kocks, Proprietor, Greek A factory (active 1701–1703)
Possibly by: Greek A Factory (Dutch (Delft), active 1657–1818)
Possibly by: Greek A Factory (Dutch (Delft), active 1657–1818)
Dutch (Delft)
about 1700-1720
Object Place: Europe, The Netherlands
Medium/Technique
Tin-glazed earthenware decorated in cobalt blue, polychrome enamels and gold
Dimensions
13 x 10.5 cm (5 1/8 x 4 1/8 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Rita and Frits Markus
Accession Number1983.597
CollectionsEurope
ClassificationsCeramics – Pottery – Earthenware
DescriptionThe press-molded figure of the goddess Guanyin (Kuan Yin) is seated on a grassy mound with her left leg bent and tucked behind her right leg, which is raised at the knee. Her right hand and head have been modeled separately; the hand was attached through a hole in the sleeve of her white robe, and the head was applied to the body. A cobalt blue shawl, gilded with scrollwork, is drawn across her back, covering her right shoulder and part of her left shoulder, and draped over her raised right leg; the rest is spread over the grass on either side of her. Under the shawl, Guanyin wears a long, loose-fitting white robe with red and gold flowers. The soft folds of the robe, gathered around her legs, are accentuated in red. A wide collar, with a red chevron design and edged in gold and blue borders the inside neckline of the robe and shawl. Her garments are open, showing her breasts and a short necklace of gold and red beads. Guanyin holds a circular red object in her extended right hand, which rests on her raised knee. Her left arm is concealed beneath her robe, and part of her bare right foot is visible at the lower edge of the robe. Her facial features are modeled in shallow relief, her eyes and eyebrows are painted black, her lips and nose red. Her elongated ears are outlined in red and gilded at the center. The piece is hollow and the interior glazed.
Marks
(1) on inside of figure, in black enamel: PAK in monogram
ProvenanceMay 1966, purchased in Amsterdam by Rita and Frits Markus; 1983, gift of Rita and Frits Markus to the MFA.