Qing Imperial Palace: Embroidery of Boy Paying Respect to Avalokitesvara

CHINA, Beijing; Qing dynasty

Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva is embroidered on a light brown background. There is an Amitabha Buddha image in the center of the crown and the hair hangs down past the shoulders. The Bodhisattva wears a silk stole and flowing robes covering the body, which is adorned with necklaces with a large medallion, bracelets, and anklets. Seated in a variation of the royal ease posture, the hand touches the knee. A short distance away, a barefoot boy prostrates before the Bodhisattva in reverence.
A birthday gift to the dowager empress from government minister Jiang Ding during the rule of Emperor Qianlong (reigned 1736–1795) of the Qing dynasty, the inscription praises the empress and wishes her good health.