Guanyin in monochrome white Chinese porcelain. Qing Dynasty.

Important Guanyin in hard Chinese biscuit porcelain of an exceptional size. The deity is represented sitting on a lotus flower. The porcelain is covered with a thick colorless glaze. The deity has a gentle benevolent expression, the finishes are neat, note the presence of details, fingers, nails, toes, and jewelry. There was excellent chiselling work attesting to the double-fired biscuit technique. The unglazed underside became orange during firing, which is typical of some 19th century Chinese porcelain, when clays containing iron oxide impurities replaced the pure porcelain of the 18th century. Under the effect of firing, the iron turns orange, on small objects, bowls or plates, the numerous cleanings and handlings have completely or largely erased this orange color which is only superficial. The size of the Guanyin prevented or even limited the handling, the orange was thus preserved. Technically it is difficult to fire a porcelain of this size, this is probably why the statue is conical in shape, with a large base and narrow shoulders. Height 80 cm. A large crack starting from a chip at the base (see photo of the right side of the Guanyin) some broken lotus petals (visible in photos) some slight old restorations in the leg-base part.