Dehua: Statuette of Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva on a Lion

CHINA, Fujian, Quanzhou

Avalokitesvara Bodhisattva is depicted with hair tied in a topknot and a headdress with ribbons hanging down at the back. The Bodhisattva has a round face, downcast eyes, a long nose, a small mouth, and long earlobes. A heavy necklace, armlets, and bracelets adorn the slim build. Both shoulders are covered by a stole and a long dress is worn on the lower body. Avalokitesvara holds a jade ruyi (wish-fulfilling talisman) in the left hand, while the right hand is placed on the lion. The Bodhisattva sits comfortably on the lion with the left leg crossed over the knee.
The lion is portrayed in the traditional Chinese style with thick eyebrows, sunken eyes, a bulbous nose, and a wide grinning mouth showing all its teeth. Its paws are placed one on top of the other.