Quanyin. Edo Era, Japan, 18th century.

Quanyin. Edo era, Japan, 18th century.
In carved and gilded wood with gold leaf.
Measurements: 73 x 18 x 18 cm.

This exceptional sculpture of Quanyin -known in Japan as Kannon, bodhisattva of compassion- constitutes an outstanding example of the devotional imagery of the Edo period. The figure, of imposing presence, rises with serenity on a lotus base, symbol of spiritual purity, adopting a frontal posture of solemn balance and deep inner stillness.

Carved in wood and richly gilded with gold leaf, the work retains a warm and ceremonial luminosity that recalls the radiance of Buddhist altars. The face, with its peaceful and meditative expression, reflects the aesthetic ideal of the time, while the ornamental complexity of its openwork crown underlines its sacred character and its high artistic quality.

The deity carries the ritual vessel (kundika), associated with the nectar of compassion, and presents a blessing gesture that reinforces its protective function. The natural wear of the gilding in the relief areas reveals the mastery of the underlying carving and adds a tangible historical dimension.

Because of its careful execution, its monumentality and the preservation of its original ornaments, this piece is among the most sophisticated productions destined for Templar or private worship, being a rarity outside museum contexts and a first-rate heritage testimony within the collecting of Japanese Buddhist art.