According to Buddhist canon, Shancai, or Sudhana, was a young pilgrim who learned the Way of the Buddha only after visiting 53 teachers. Shancai is part of the iconography of Guanyin, with whom he appears as a boyish acolyte. This gilt bronze figure depicts Shancai in a moment of reverence with his hands in 'anjali mudra' (hands held together in front of chest in prayer) and his head raised, presumably to Guanyin. The silk rope which he wears over his princely attire is lifted by the wind to form an arch above his head. This suggests he is being supported on clouds in the heavens like the immortals and the deities.
