A JAPANESE BODHISATTVA KANNON 観音, BAKUMATSU PERIOD (1853-1867)

A large gold lacquer wooden sculpture of the bodhisattva Kannon 観音, the Goddess of Mercy, standing on a double lotus throne. Kannon is also better known as the bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara.Her crown is adorned by the head of Amida, a celestial buddha. The front and sides decorated with red and white small beads. Her chest with a similar ornament. Her hair and the hair of Amida are painted in a nice deep blue colour.
The craftsmanship of this statue shows through the quality of the soft carving of her face, which has a very serene and meditative appearance.
She holds her right hand in the varada mudra, while holding a padma (lotus) in her left hand.
Her clothes fall smoothly over her body and wave up at the sides.
The lotus throne rests one a lovely ornamented hexagonal piëdestal with fences, balusters, clouds, openwork floral panels.
Behind Kannon a large gold lacquered mandorla with a dense swirling cloud design in relief. In the centre an open work dharmachakra (wheel of the law).

Sizes complete sculpture:
Height 73 cm, Width 24 cm, Depth 16 cm.
Sizes Kannon:
Height 41.5 cm, Width 15 cm, Depth 8 cm.
Bakumatsu-period (1853-1867).
The sculpture is in a very good condition with minor traces of, age wear and old restorations. Please look at the photos for a condition reference.