A LARGE LACQUERED WOOD ZUSHI (PORTABLE SHRINE) CONTAINING A GILT WOOD FIGURE OF KANNON BOSATSU

A LARGE LACQUERED WOOD ZUSHI (PORTABLE SHRINE) CONTAINING A GILT WOOD FIGURE OF KANNON BOSATSU
Japan, 18th-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Finely carved, the Kannon's right hand is held in semui-in (abhaya mudra) with the other grasping a lotus blossom, standing on a lotus dais raised on a compressed oval section carved in openwork with a central tama above a section of gilt lotus petals, supported on a wood pedestal base carved with rockwork. The slender figure of Kannon wearing sleek robes falling in elegant folds, adorned in elaborate jewelry with a central dharma wheel and a tall tiara flanked by a round nimbus. The exterior of the shrine covered in black lacquer with brass fitting intricately chased with foliate designs.
HEIGHT 66.7 cm
Condition: Good condition with wear, minor age cracks, scratches, flaking and losses to lacquer, and repairs to the nimbus, hands, and tiara, as well as small touchups to the doors. Overall presenting very well.
Provenance:
From a Dutch private collection.
Enshrined in this traveling shrine is Kannon
, a Bodhisattva of supreme compassion. Veneration of Kannon in Japan began in the late 6th century, soon after Buddhism reached Japan by way of Korea and China. Numerous historical figures are considered emanations of Kannon, including Prince Shotoku Taishi (Japan's first great patron of Buddhism), Daruma (the founder of Zen Buddhism), and Chujo Hime (a Buddhist nun regarded as one of Japan's greatest early embroidery artists). Originally male in form, Kannon is now often portrayed as female in China, Japan, and other East Asian countries.