Avalokitesvara with a Fish Basket

CHINA

Depictions of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva with a Fish Basket can represent several different manifestations of the Bodhisattva. This image is of Avalokitesvara as the wife of Ma Lang. Avalokitesvara is said to have manifested as a beautiful fishmonger at Golden Beach in 817. To choose between numerous suitors, she promised her hand to whoever could memorize a series of sutras. The final trial involved memorizing the entire Lotus Sutra. Only Ma Lang accomplished the feat. However, the beautiful girl died just before their wedding. A few days later, an old monk told Ma Lang to open her casket. Golden bones were found inside. The villagers realized that the fishmonger was a manifestation of Avalokitesvara, and they all converted to Buddhism.
Avalokitesvara has a topknot and long flowing hair that hangs past the shoulders. The barefooted and graceful Bodhisattva is dressed in a white robe and adorned with ornaments. A basket of fish is held in the right hand. There is an inscription by the artist, Zhang Daqian, and seal imprints, one of which reads “Eliminate all suffering.”