Watch List notes:

JAPAN. Gold statue of Kannon. Modern, 1970s. Statue: (4 cm wide x 6.7 cm high x 2.8 cm deep, 125.50 g). Solid gold seated statue of Kannon, who bestows the Kannon sutra on people. She is veiled and robed, wearing the third eye of enlightenment on her forehead and the symbol of the flames of enlightenment around her head. A small figure sits on her head, another Bodhisattva, a symbol of enlightenment. Stamped "pure gold" (in Japanese characters) on the back bottom of the figure. Seated on a gold-colored rock within an elaborate presentation case (31 cm high). On the back panel of the case in Japanese characters the sutra preaches the great virtue of the Kannon Bodhisattva who saves people. Website shipping rates do not apply. As made and exceptional.

From the Elmer H. Frantz Collection, purchased at Kurume Department Store in Japan, 2 June 1973 (for ¥233,000).

Kannon is the Japanese, Kuan Yin (or Guanyin, short for Guanshiyin, which means "Perceives the Sounds of the World" ) is the Chinese, name of the Buddhist Bodhisattva of Compassion. Kannon means "she who watches and hears" the sound of suffering beings. Anyone who prays to her and calls upon her can be helped by her. With her thousand eyes and hands, Kannon swiftly fulfills her vow to save all beings.