Small Asian Copper Goddess Icon, Signed?

Discussion in 'Metalware' started by wlwhittier, Jun 3, 2022.

  1. wlwhittier

    wlwhittier Well-Known Member

    ~3¼" tall, 63 grams. What looks like a signature may be her name...or something else. The characters are reminiscent of Chinese...but I wouldn't bet on that. Her right hand, draped in a sash, is palm outward. Her left arm cradles what may be an infant held by the legs. She stands in what looks like a Lotus blossom. This came with the 'toothpick' posted a few minutes ago in Porcelain. A translation would be great...Thanks!

    fullsizeoutput_941a.jpeg fullsizeoutput_9419.jpeg fullsizeoutput_9418.jpeg fullsizeoutput_9416.jpeg fullsizeoutput_9415.jpeg
     
    wlwhittier, Jun 3, 2022
    #1
    kyratango, stracci, Figtree3 and 1 other person like this.
  2. 2manybooks

    2manybooks Well-Known Member

    Interesting little casting. I think it may be Japanese, and represents Kannon (Chinese Guanyin) in her form of Jibo Kannon (loving mother).
    [​IMG]
     
    2manybooks, Jun 3, 2022
    #2
    kyratango, stracci, Figtree3 and 2 others like this.
  3. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Lovely statue, I would have picked it up too.
    I agree, it is Kannon, but I think it could be Kannon Sho, with a lotus bud in her/his hand.
    Bad quality photo, from a dead link, but this Kannon Sho is by the amazing Japanese sculptor Takamura Koun, known for his tranquil beauties:

    upload_2022-6-4_14-13-47.jpeg
     
    Any Jewelry, Jun 4, 2022
    #3
    kyratango, 2manybooks, stracci and 2 others like this.
  4. wlwhittier

    wlwhittier Well-Known Member

    Spot on! Great job, an' Thanks, AJ!
    Now all I wish for is a translation. The day is young...
     
    wlwhittier, Jun 4, 2022
    #4
    stracci, Figtree3 and Any Jewelry like this.
  5. Any Jewelry

    Any Jewelry Well-Known Member

    Maybe it was a souvenir from a shrine, and it is the name of the shrine? Japan used to make beautiful souvenirs in times past.
     
    Last edited: Jun 4, 2022
    Any Jewelry, Jun 4, 2022
    #5
    2manybooks, wlwhittier, stracci and 1 other person like this.
  6. Ce BCA

    Ce BCA Well-Known Member

    I can't work out the middle character but the other two are 瑞?作
     
    Ce BCA, Jun 4, 2022
    #6
    wlwhittier and 2manybooks like this.
  7. wlwhittier

    wlwhittier Well-Known Member

    Google Translate allows Ruì zuò for those two characters, as Chinese. Thanks!
     
    Last edited: Jun 4, 2022
    wlwhittier, Jun 4, 2022
    #7
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