Jingdezhen: Statuette of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva

CHINA, Jiangxi, Jingdezhen; Southern Song dynasty

This statuette was made in Jingdezhen. Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva has a headdress with an image of Amitabha Buddha sitting on a lotus throne in the center. Ribbons hang down from the back of the headdress on to the shoulders. The Bodhisattva has a prominent urna, wide downcast eyes, long nose, narrow mouth, and large ears. A robe with long and loose sleeves covers both shoulders, and the bare chest is decorated with a large necklace. The right hand is held at shoulder height with the fingers pointing upwards, while the left hand rests on the knee.
Most of the statuette is unglazed; however, there is a bluish glaze on the sleeves, parts of the necklace, and the prominent collar. There are traces of red, blue, and gold coloring on the headdress and lower robe, suggesting that colors were painted on the statuette after firing.