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 its sinicized and feminized 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 fabric tied at the waist with a thin fabric belt falling in two long parallel sections on the legs. The bare chest accommodates a long, finely crafted pectoral made of pearls. A thin stole resting on the shoulders wraps around the arms and falls to the ground. The folded arms adorned with beaded bracelets at the wrists, each hand delicately holding a vase containing the elixir of immortality. The very soft face has half-closed eyes outlined in black, perfectly curved eyebrows framing the urna, a long thin nose positioned above a mouth with thin lips hinting at a slight smile. The hairstyle elaborated in a high triple bun surrounded by two headbands, two long locks of braided hair falling delicately on the shoulders. The top of the skull surmounted by a spike in the shape of a stylized lotus bud, the ears with distended lobes adorned with circular ornaments, the head decorated with a tiara decorated with five figures of worshipers in anjali mudra position.

In the tradition of Mahayana Buddhism, bodhisattvas are spiritual beings with compassion for all suffering creatures. Bodhisattvas vow not to access Supreme Enlightenment as long as there remains a single being to save.
Avalokitesvara (Guanyin in China, Kannon in Japan) is the bodhisattva of compassion, savior from all perils, literally ''Lord who looks down''.

Elephant ivory (pre-Convention)
21.2 cm without stand
Tiny missing, otherwise excellent condition
Private collection

A CITES certificate dated September 5, 2023 accompanies the lot.

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

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