BOULDER, COLO.- Collectors and scholars of Asian art are turning their attention to Louisville, Colorado, where Artemis Fine Arts will open its upcoming sale
Asian | Ancient | Ethnographic | Fine Art on October 2, 2025 at 8:00 a.m. (GMT-6). Among the curated global treasures offered, one exceptional lot stands out:
a monumental Ming dynasty wooden figure of Guanyin, dating to the late 16th–17th century CE.
A Vision of Compassion
Carved from wood and standing more than three feet tall (36.3 inches / 92.2 cm), the sculpture presents Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, seated in the posture of royal ease (lalitasana). One leg dangles gracefully over a rocky pedestal, while the other folds upward, the relaxed pose balancing serenity with authority. Her right hand rests gently on her knee, fingers unfurled, while the left arm supports the body against the grotto-like base — an allusion to Mount Putuo, her sacred abode in Chinese Buddhism.
The figure radiates softness through a contemplative face: almond eyes lowered, brows arched in quiet compassion, and lips closed in tranquil poise. Her ornate headdress bears the diminutive image of Amitabha Buddha, Guanyin’s spiritual guide in Pure Land tradition. Traces of blue pigment across the robe and an elaborate necklace survive, underscoring both the devotional and artistic significance of the work.
Guanyin’s Enduring Appeal
Known in Chinese as “She Who Hears the Cries of the World,” Guanyin holds a special place in Buddhist devotion across East Asia. Once identified with the Indian male deity Avalokitesvara, her transformation into a maternal figure in China from the Tang period onward made her an accessible protector — invoked for safe childbirth, mercy, and deliverance from suffering.
During the Ming dynasty, her cult flourished on an unprecedented scale. Temples, household shrines, and illustrated texts spread her imagery throughout the empire. This particular representation aligns with the popular iconography of “Water-Moon Guanyin,” depicted in the Moonlit Grotto as a serene presence guiding souls alongside Amitabha to the Western Paradise.
Spiritual and Cultural Context
Beyond its devotional role, the sculpture reflects Ming China’s broader tradition of ancestor veneration and household piety. Families across the social spectrum maintained altars or entire shrine rooms, where consecrated images like this one provided a tangible channel for prayer and reflection. Statues were often “brought to life” through an eye-opening ceremony, a ritual in which a priest anointed the eyes with cinnabar to invite divine presence into the figure.
Given its size, detail, and remnants of polychromy, this Guanyin was likely housed in a temple or private hall where devotees sought intercession. The delicacy of the carving and preservation of pigment attest to the artistry of Ming craftsmen and the reverence such works commanded.
Provenance and Assurance
This sculpture comes from a private Los Angeles collection, acquired between 1990 and 2005. As with all items offered by Artemis Fine Arts, it is guaranteed legal to buy and sell under U.S. cultural patrimony statutes. A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany the winning bid, underscoring the house’s reputation for careful stewardship of rare and significant objects.
Auction Details
The sale opens October 2, 2025, at 8:00 a.m. (GMT-6) in Louisville, Colorado, and will feature works from Egypt, Greece, Rome, Asia, the Pre-Columbian Americas, Africa, and beyond. For collectors of Asian art, the Ming dynasty Guanyin is expected to be a highlight — a rare opportunity to acquire not only a masterpiece of carving, but also a living testament to centuries of devotion and artistry.
