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An exceedingly
fine casting in which the carving is minutely executed, with a sense of delicacy
and refinement that extends to the smallest detail. The face of Kannon is superbly
meditative. The right hand is in the An-I-In mudra, a gesture of speaking and
teaching, while the left hand holds the water vase inclined, bestowing compassion
and rescuing suffering sentient beings from the desert of delusion. Around the
face are incised locks of hair surmounted by a crown bearing an image of Amitabha
Buddha, of whom she is an emanation. Over this crown is draped the hood of her
robes, which fall in perfect arcs and loops to the base of the lotus throne and
descend over it with gently falling gathers of fabric thinned at the edges to
suggest silkiness and transparency. The artistic treatment continues at the back
of the figure, where lotus petals rise with gently curling tips. Private
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