+ GUANYIN, polychrome wood, China / Vietnam, 18th / 19th century

The wood sculpture depicts Guanyin (sanctuary: Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara). Guanyin is a Bodhisattva who personifies compassion, his name means "observe sounds", that is, listen to requests. The wooden sculpture is covered with thick polychrome, consisting of black lacquer, undercoat and gilding flakes. With his right hand he performs the abhaja-mudra gesture, that is in Buddhist mythology, the murda of "no fear" (a-bhaja), symbolizing care, and the left hand apana-mudra gesture symbolizing clean energy, cleansing, also of his own body from toxins and pollutants.