Sandstone figure of Guanyin
- Audio guide stop: 623
- Gallery: Room 33
- Culture: Northern Qi dynasty
- Made in: China
- Date: 550-577
- Object type: figure
- Materials: sandstone
- Museum number: 1961,0718.1
- Museum: The British Museum
- Collection record: British Museum website
- Image © The Trustees of the British Museum, shared under a CC BY-NC-SA 4.0 licence.
Listen to the free audio guide
About this object
Before you is a sandstone figure of Guanyin, a bodhisattva known in Chinese tradition. This sculpture dates to the Northern Qi dynasty, around 550 to 577, and was made in China. The figure is carved from grey sandstone, with careful attention given to facial features and intricate details, especially in the depiction of jewelry and clothing.
Guanyin is shown with the broad shoulders and oval face typical of Northern Qi sculpture, reflecting influences from India and Persia. At one time, this figure would have been brightly painted with colors like white, pink, black, and blue, and adorned with gold foil.
The Northern Qi rulers were devoted Buddhists, and this figure is a fine example of the period's artistic achievements. For more detail on this type of work, you might enjoy exploring Ann Paludan’s Chinese Sculpture: A Great Tradition.
See it in person
Sandstone figure of Guanyin is on display in Room 33 at the British Museum on Great Russell Street, Bloomsbury, London — free to enter. Choose British Museum on audioguide.london and type its audio guide stop number, 623, from the gallery label, or take a photo of it, to hear this free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
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