Mask of a Guan Yin
China, Ming Dynasty
(15th – 17th century)
Cat iron with traces of polychromy
H. 29 cm

During the Ming dynasty, cast iron statues were produced that, due to the technical difficulties of casting, could not attain the quality of finish of those made of bronze or copper alloy. It is therefore rare to find a mask like this one, where the simplicity of the volumes made it possible to obtain such an expressive face, imbued with a serene spirituality.