A RARE WHITE AND CHESTNUT JADE CARVING OF GUANYIN AND ATTENDANTS

Qianlong/Jiaqing

Footnotes

清乾隆/嘉慶 墨白玉雕觀音善財龍女像

Provenance: Spink & Son Ltd., London, 8 April 1976 (insurance valuation letter)
A Scottish private collection

來源： 倫敦古董商Spink & Son Ltd.，1976年4月8日（保險評估信）
蘇格蘭私人收藏

In Buddhist iconography, Guanyin is frequently depicted flanked by Shancai (善財) and Longnü (龍女), as exemplified in the present lot, symbolizing her role as a compassionate guide leading all beings toward enlightenment. The earliest known visual representation of Guanyin accompanied by both Shancai and Longnü dates to the 12th century, including a wall painting of the Water-Moon Guanyin with two attendants in the Yulin Caves, Western Xia dynasty (1038–1227), illustrated in Yulin ku (榆林窟), Nanjing, 2019, pp.139–140. The emergence of this triadic imagery—likely originating in Zhejiang—reflects the deep interconnection between The Mahavaipulya Sutra (華嚴經), which recounts the legend of Shancai, and the Lotus Sutra (蓮華經), which references Longnü. During the Ming dynasty, the rise of vernacular literature and storytelling, particularly The Complete Biography of Guanyin of the Southern Sea (南海觀音全傳), further enriched and popularised the narrative of Guanyin's association with Shancai and Longnü, solidifying this imagery in Buddhist art. For more discussion on the iconography of Guanyin accompanied by Shancai and Longnü, see Chen Junji, 'Guanyin pusa xieshi juanshu zhong de shancai yu longnü zuhe' (觀音菩薩脅侍眷屬中的善財與龍女組合), The National Palace Museum Monthly of Chinese Art, 2022(473), pp.98-109.

Compare with a related celadon jade Guanyin figure, Qing dynasty, in the Qing Court Collection, Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Compendium of Collections in the Palace Museum: Jade, vol.8 (Qing dynasty), Beijing, 2011, p.277, pl.243. See also other four related jade Guanyin figures, Qing dynasty, in the Qing Court Collection, Palace Museum, Beijing, illustrated in Classics of the Forbidden City: Guanyin in the Collection of the Palace Museum, Beijing, 2012, pp.213-219.

See a related inscribed white and russet jade boulder, Qianlong mark and of the period, dated to 1764, which was sold at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 7 April 2011, lot 2838. See also a related pale green jade figure of Guanyin and attendant, 19th century, which was sold at Bonhams Hong Kong, 4 June 2015, lot 54.