Dehua Guanyin in Pale Blue Robes with Willow and Vase

A pale blue robe sets this Guanyin apart from the white and gold-toned versions in the collection. Willow rises from one hand, a small vase rests in the other, and the color deepens toward the pink lotus and blue wave base.

The willow-and-vase pairing has a much older history than porcelain. A Chinese Buddhist painting dated to about 851-950 in the British Museum already depicts Avalokiteshvara holding both attributes. Across later Guanyin imagery, willow and water came to express compassion, purification, and relief from suffering.

For devotees, Willow Guanyin is approached with prayers for suffering to be eased, obstacles to soften and the household to be held in compassionate care. The willow conveys gentleness that can bend without breaking; the vase carries the image of purifying water. Those symbols make the figure particularly resonant during periods of illness, change or emotional strain.

The pale blue robe offers a calmer alternative to ceremonial gold and a more visible alternative to monochrome white. It remains easy to place near pale wood, stone or neutral walls while preserving every attribute that gives the figure meaning. Four heights range from 30.5 to 46 cm; the underside has a 2.5 cm opening.

• Origin: Dehua, Fujian, China
• Material: Glazed Dehua porcelain with pale blue, polychrome and gold-toned painted details
• Figure: Seated Guanyin with willow branch, vase, lotus and waves
• Base opening: 2.5 cm / 1.0 in
• 30.5 cm size: 30.5 cm H × 17.5 cm W × 16.5 cm D / 12.0 in H × 6.9 in W × 6.5 in D
• 36 cm size: 36.0 cm H × 21.5 cm W × 20.0 cm D / 14.2 in H × 8.5 in W × 7.9 in D
• 41 cm size: 41.0 cm H × 22.5 cm W × 21.5 cm D / 16.1 in H × 8.9 in W × 8.5 in D
• 46 cm size: 46.0 cm H × 24.5 cm W × 24.5 cm D / 18.1 in H × 9.6 in W × 9.6 in D
• Dimensions are hand measured; slight variation is expected