White-glazed Statuette of Seated Avalokiteśvaras, Dehua Ware

The Goddess of Mercy with plump and smooth-skinned oval face and benevolent expression lowers her head and eyes and seems to be watching all living creatures in the world. She wears high coiffeur decorated in the middle with ruyi-shaped head ornament, hood, long shawl and ruyi-shaped necklace and pendant. Her hands are hidden in the clothes while one leg is half revealed and the other is crossed. Through the drooping and undulating drapes, the Goddess’s bearing is dimly visible. The statue is glazed white and hollow inside; its back is inscribed with the three-character seal mark of “He Chao Zong” in intaglio. White porcelain of the Ming Dehua kiln pursued perfect jade quality and developed its own school. This statue is a masterpiece of the Ming porcelain master He Chaozong, whose artistic achievement represents Dehua kiln’s high level.