Object Description
From our collection of antique Chinese ceramics, this elegant 19th Century famille verte figure of the Goddess Guan Yin.
She stands, serene, draped in an elegant flowing teal robe adorned with floral motifs. Her underskirt is an imperial yellow, (a colour normally only reserved for the Emperor.) Here, the colour denotes her status as a God. In one hand, she holds a sacred scroll.
Around her neck is a necklace of Magatama. Magatama are curved beads, through to resemble Tigers teeth. They have had spiritual and religious associations for centuries and early forms of Magatama have been found to date as far back as the Jomon period (Circa 1000 BC).
Magatama are part of the Japanese Imperial Regalia (similar to our Crown Jewels here in the UK) and they represent benevolence and divine authority.
The circular base that she stands on features a stylised phoenix feather design.