This statue of 12 arms Avalokitesvara was hand carved from Mit wood and painted with traditional Vietnamese lacquer in red, bronze and gold. Beautiful and feminine face. In a meditative pose. Very peaceful ambience.
Original and from Hanoi, Northern Vietnam. Prewar. One arm does not match color. It's dimensions are 13"H x 12"W (arm to arm) x 6"D.
Avalokitesvara is known as Guan Yin and she is an extremely popular Goddess in Vietnamese folklore, and is worshiped in Vietnamese communities throughout South East Asia. Guan Yin is revered in the general Vietnamese population due to her unconditional love, compassion and mercy. She is generally regarded by many as the protector of women and children. By this association she is also seen as a fertility goddess capable of granting children. She is also the champion of the unfortunate, the sick, the disabled, the poor, and those in trouble. Among business people and traders, she is looked upon as a Goddess of Luck and Fortune. In recent years there have been claims of her being the protector of air travelers.
