{"product_id":"vintage-chinese-guanyin-cast-metal-mid-20th-century-16cm","title":"Vintage Chinese Guanyin – Cast Metal, Mid-20th Century, 16.5 cm","description":"\u003cp\u003eA small Chinese image of Guanyin, the bodhisattva of compassion, hollow-cast in a copper-rich alloy with a warm brass- to bronze-toned surface. The slender figure is defined by a calm expression, tall headdress and long flowing robes rather than elaborate ornament.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eObject Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSubject:\u003c\/strong\u003e Guanyin \/ Kwan Yin\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOrigin:\u003c\/strong\u003e China\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePeriod:\u003c\/strong\u003e Probably mid-20th century\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMaterial:\u003c\/strong\u003e Hollow-cast copper alloy \/ cast metal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 16.5 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWidth:\u003c\/strong\u003e 7 cm\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 400 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCatalogue Note\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe alloy is described conservatively as copper alloy\/cast metal because visual inspection alone cannot reliably distinguish brass from bronze. The figure is catalogued as vintage and probably mid-20th century rather than being given an unsupported antique attribution.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCasting and Manufacture\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe sculpture is hollow-cast, a construction method widely used for Chinese devotional figures. Hollow casting by itself does not prove age: traditional core-based techniques remained in use well into the 20th century. For that reason, the date is assessed together with modelling, finishing, surface wear and patina.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePatina and Surface\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe surface shows warm copper-alloy tones, darker recessed areas and light wear on raised details. These variations are consistent with handling and environmental exposure over time, but patina alone is never treated as proof of age.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eStyle and Dating\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe frontal composition, simplified reverse and softly modelled facial features are characteristic of later devotional production rather than high-imperial Buddhist bronze workmanship. Taken together with the casting and surface, these features support the conservative working date of \u003cstrong\u003eprobably mid-20th century\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eIconography and Context\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGuanyin is the Chinese form of Avalokiteshvara, the bodhisattva of compassion. Across Chinese devotional art, Guanyin appears in many forms and can be shown with different crowns, vessels, lotuses and hand gestures. This figure is catalogued simply as a standing Guanyin; there is no clear basis for a more specific “Guanyin with Child” identification.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eCondition\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eGood vintage condition with warm patina and light surface wear. The nine photographs document the sculpture from multiple angles, including the reverse and base.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eResearch and Comparison\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eWe assess small copper-alloy devotional figures by combining physical evidence with comparative experience and specialist opinion where relevant. Casting traces, patina, wear and style are read together rather than using any single feature as proof of age.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor a detailed case study of this method, see our Research Library article: \u003ca href=\"https:\/\/buddha-statues.com\/blogs\/research\/identifying-dating-chinese-guanyin-casting-patina-expert-assessment\"\u003eIdentifying and Dating a Chinese Guanyin – Casting, Patina and Expert Assessment\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Buddha-Statues.com","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":63361447493962,"sku":"615","price":82.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1073\/1693\/7034\/files\/vintage-chinese-guanyin-cast-metal-mid-20th-century-16cm-catalogue-view-01.jpg?v=1787918082","url":"https:\/\/buddha-statues.com\/products\/vintage-chinese-guanyin-cast-metal-mid-20th-century-16cm","provider":"buddha-statues.com","version":"1.0","type":"link"}