Escultura monumental china de templo de Guanyin Zizai (Avalokiteshvara) en madera de alcanfor, estilo de la dinastía Song, 122 cm

At 122 cm in carved camphor, this Zizai Guanyin sits in royal ease with one leg raised and the body leaning gently into stillness, an image of compassion as composure. Made in the Song dynasty manner and later preserved in Japan, it was conceived for a temple hall, where such figures addressed whole congregations.

The Piece

This monumental wooden sculpture represents Avalokiteshvara in the Zizai (自在观音) form, carved in camphor wood and conceived at a scale reserved for major temple spaces. The figure is presented in a relaxed royal-ease posture, one leg drawn up and the torso subtly inclined, conveying sovereign calm rather than rigid transcendence.

The face is composed with mature restraint. Gently lowered eyes, balanced features and a composed mouth communicate attentiveness and readiness to respond, an expression closely aligned with Song dynasty devotional aesthetics, in which spiritual authority is expressed through composure and inner equilibrium rather than dramatic gesture.

The body is carved with an understanding of weight and volume appropriate to monumental sculpture. Drapery flows in broad, confident planes rather than ornamental excess, letting the camphor wood assert its material presence, while the crown and bodhisattva ornaments identify the figure clearly yet remain subordinate to the bodily authority of the form.

Zizai Guanyin imagery originates in Chinese Buddhist art, particularly during the Tang–Song transition and the mature Song dynasty, and later entered Japan, where the form became known as Jizai Kannon. Sculptures of this scale were typically enshrined in temple halls rather than used for private devotion, emphasizing public teaching presence and compassionate guardianship.

The work is understood to have been held formerly in a decommissioned temple and later released through a temple dispersal. Such provenance accounts are common in the Japanese art market and are offered as attributed in the absence of documentation; regardless, the scale, posture and carving logic place the work firmly within the Chinese Avalokiteshvara tradition, later preserved in Japan.

Details

• Era: Song dynasty style; antique, over 100 years
• Origin: China; later preserved in Japan
• Material: Camphor wood
• Measurements: 122 × 92 × 73 cm
• Weight: Approx. 130 kg (object)
• Object type: Monumental wooden Buddhist sculpture
• Customs: HS Code 9706.00; country of origin China

Condition

• Condition consistent with an antique monumental wooden sculpture: surface wear, patina and age-related separations reflecting time and historical handling.
• No modern restoration is assumed without in-hand examination; the work is valued for scale, posture and material integrity rather than surface perfection.
• Requires professional handling, climate control and crated transport.

Crating & Freight

Because of its weight and dimensions the sculpture cannot travel by EMS or other parcel services such as DHL, FedEx or UPS and is shipped by cargo or freight only. Preparation may include custom crating, reinforced packing, coordination with domestic logistics providers and scheduling with international freight consolidators and export brokers; delivery typically takes 6 to 10 weeks depending on routing, carrier availability and customs clearance.

Freight is quoted individually once destination, delivery method and handling requirements are confirmed, and collectors are asked to request an exact quotation before purchase.

• Crated shipping weight: approx. 240 kg
• Packed dimensions: approx. 150 × 120 × 110 cm
• Sea freight (recommended): ¥480,000–¥660,000, 6–10 weeks in transit
• Air freight: ¥680,000–¥980,000, 7–14 days

Authenticity & Care

Dynastic attribution, workshop origin and temple provenance rest on stylistic analysis and the documentation available and should be treated as probable; best catalogued as a monumental Zizai Guanyin in Song dynasty style, later preserved in Japan. Every piece is examined and documented in Japan before dispatch and is offered with the Japonista authenticity guarantee.

Delivery from Japan

Crated in Japan and shipped insured by air or sea freight. A freight quote is confirmed with you before dispatch through our Museum-Grade Logistics Suite™. Import duties and taxes, where applicable, are payable on arrival. Returns follow our published policy.

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