Acuoye Guanyin

Nanzhao Kingdom, 9th century AD
Yunnan Provincial Museum, Kunming

This gilt statue is "Acuoye Guanyin" ("All Victorious Guanyin," Skt. Ajaya Avalokiteshvara). According to legend, this form of Guanyin first manifested in China as a spiritual teacher (Brahmin) from India. The statue was recovered from the 9th century Qianxun Pagoda in Dali.

The museum label makes a hash of this information, at least in English, giving both a misleading identification and an incorrect date. Never trust museum labels!

Reference: Howard et. al., Chinese Sculpture, p. 346-347.