Antique wooden Kwanyin statue with ritual opening
Rated 5.0 out of 5.€975,00
One of a kind
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Certificate of authenticity & invoice
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Examined with microscope & UV light
Dating, condition, and quality verified by our experts · Read the findings
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Carefully packed, fully insured
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14-day cooling-off period
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- Weight
- 0.9 kg
- Reference
- 484
This is an old Chinese wooden Guanyin or Kwanyin statue, carved as a devotional image for use in a temple or on a home altar. The figure sits upright and holds a small ritual vase centered in front of the body, a classic attribute associated with blessing, protection, and compassion.
The face is compact and softly modeled, with half-closed eyes and a calm, restrained expression. The proportions are firm and stable, giving the statue a distinct presence despite its size. This is not decorative carving, but a statue with function and meaning.
The high headdress still shows traces of old polychromy and lacquer. Across the surface, you can see natural darkening, uneven wear, and areas where the original color has remained deeply embedded in the wood structure. This is a layered aging process that cannot be “created,” but which develops through time and use.
The rectangular opening in the back confirms ritual consecration. Traditionally, this type of statue was filled with sacred contents and then placed for daily use. The edges and the interior show age and handling befitting a truly devotional object.
The base is heavily weathered, with old cracks and erosion on the underside. The wear is irregular and deep in the grain, exactly as you would expect from old wood that has stood for a long time and lived.
Dimensions: 31 x 15 cm
Weight: approx. 0.9 kg
Each object is examined before it is offered: material, casting or carving technique, surface, and signs of age are compared with documented references. You will receive a certificate of authenticity and an official invoice detailing the period, material, and available provenance.
Fully insured worldwide shipping in museum-quality packaging. Returns are sent to our Dutch address and you have a 14-day cooling-off period.
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Pay securely at checkout with credit card, Klarna, Apple Pay, or Google Pay. The certificate of authenticity and the invoice are included in the price.
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How we investigated this image
For more than 30 years, we have been researching Asian art. Each object is inspected in advance with a microscope and UV light. Findings regarding material, style, and iconography form the basis for our assessment of dating, condition, and quality — and for the price.
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