A RARE LACQUERED WOOD STATUE OF SONGZI GUANYIN BREASTFEEDING A CHILD, DATED 1633China. The finely carved statue shows Guanyin with a benevolent smile, wearing an elaborate phoenix headdress, seated on a throne and surrounded by numerous children, breastfeeding one of them, adorned with polychrome lacquer, gold and gesso. The back of the statue shows a neatly incised inscription which includes the dating to the 6th year of Chongzhen, equivalent to 1633.Inscription: To the back, 'Hou Hong Zhan and his wife Tang present this statue of the goddess of fertility to express their wish of having many children and their hope that their prayers will be heard. Made on the 2nd of December on the 6th year of the reign of emperor Chongzhen (1633). Refreshed on the 14th of February of the 7th year of the reign of emperor Kangxi (1668)'.Provenance: From the private collection of P. Wanderweerden, Belgium. By repute acquired during the later 1970s or early 1980s.Condition: Fine and original condition with some losses, abrasions and wear to lacquer, age cracks, minor nicks and dents, old weathering. Overall, fully commensurate with the high age of this statue.Weight: 3.5 kgDimensions: Height 41.5 cmSongzi Niangniang or “The Maiden Who Brings Children” is a Taoist fertility goddess. She is often depicted as Guanyin herself and referred to as the “Guanyin Who Brings Children”.1633年罕見彩繪木雕送子觀音中國。 精美雕刻的觀音木像,仁慈的笑容,戴著精緻的鳳凰頭飾,坐在寶座上,周圍有許多孩子,其中的一個正在吃奶。表面彩漆,金彩和石膏。雕像的背面刻有整齊的文字,其中包括可追溯至崇禎六年(相當於1633年)的文字。款識:雕像背面可見“崇禎六年十二月初吉良求嗣侯洪章妻唐氏家眷等發心雕裝九子浪子並降幅所歸”。來源:比利時 P. Wanderweerden私人收藏。據説購於上世紀七十至八十年代間。品相:狀況良好,原始狀態,但漆面有一些磨損和老化裂紋,輕微的划痕和凹痕,風化。 總體來說,與其年代完全相符。重量:3.5 公斤尺寸:高41.5 厘米