China, 19th century, Ivory representation of the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara (CITES certificate)

Ivory representation of the bodhisattva Avalokitesvara

China
19th century

The bodhisattva is represented here in her sinicized female form, Guanyin.
Depicted standing in samapada position on a high, tiered wooden base with cloud motifs, she is dressed in a simple dothi covered with a cloth tied at the waist by a thin fabric belt that falls in two long parallel sections over the legs. The bare chest is adorned with a long pectoral finely worked with pearls. A fine stole rests on the shoulders, wrapping around the arms and falling to the floor. The folded arms are adorned with beaded bracelets on the wrists, each hand delicately clasping a vase containing the elixir of immortality.
The gentle face features half-closed eyes outlined in black, perfectly curved eyebrows framing the urna, and a long, slender nose positioned above a thin-lipped mouth with a slight smile. The elaborate hairstyle is a high triple bun encircled by two headbands, with two long locks of braided hair falling delicately to the shoulders. The top of the skull is crowned with a stylized lotus bud, the ears with distended lobes adorned with circular ornaments, the head adorned with a tiara embellished with five figures of worshippers in anjali mudra position.

In the Mahayana Buddhist tradition, bodhisattvas are spiritual beings moved by compassion for all suffering creatures. Bodhisattvas vow not to attain supreme enlightenment as long as there is a single being to save.
Avalokitesvara (Guanyin in China, Kannon in Japan) is the bodhisattva of compassion, savior of all perils, literally "Lord looking down".

Elephant ivory (pre-Convention)
21.2 cm excluding base
Slightly missing, otherwise excellent condition
Private collection

A CITES certificate dated September 05, 2023 accompanies the lot.

°°°°Under the European regulation on the circulation of ivory objects, our statuette cannot be exported outside the European Union°°°°

Ref: VXCM7NL1F2