Statuette of Child-Granting Avalokitesvara

CHINA; Ming dynasty

This statuette of Avalokitesvara is made from white jade with a trace of light yellow. It is 17.2 cm high and is carved in a sparse and clear style. The everyday clothing and lack of decoration reflect Avalokitesvara’s role of praying for children.
The dark hair of Avalokitesvara is arranged into a high topknot with subtle incisions. The Bodhisattva has a slim, smiling face, fine arched brows, slender eyes, a delicate chin, and narrow shoulders. The body is slim and is covered in a robe with crossed collars and broad sleeves. There are delicate folds in the lower part of the robe. The knotted sash is secured midway across the waist and hangs down. There is a stole that falls down on either side of the body. Avalokitesvara holds a lively child, who is wearing an upper garment with crossed collars and narrow sleeves, and a pair of pants. The child’s left hand makes a fist in front of the chest, while the right hand is held out to the side.