Guanyin and a Supplicant

Small carved ivory statuettes were among the most popular collectors’ items of Chinese art in the West starting in the 19th century, which is why many of them can be found in European collections. This statuette represents the goddess of mercy, Guanyin, who is worshipped in China as the guardian and donor of children. That is why she is sometimes depicted with the figure of a small boy or with a supplicant, as is the case here.