The finely cast gilt bronze figure shows a crowned 'bodhisattva' seated in 'dhyanasana' (meditation posture) on a lotus base, with her primary hands in 'anjalimudra' (palms sofly held together in a gesture of reverence). Her secondary hands held at the shoulder, carries a rosary in one and a lotus flower in the other. Her hair worn in knotted plaits, is painted blue. She is adorned with large pendant earrings and wears a long billowing scarf. This work is representative of a group of Buddhist figures made in China during the reign of the Yongle emperor (1403-1424). Influenced by Tibetan art, it was probably made as a gift from the Ming emperor who sought to maintain good relations with the Tibetan religious authorities.
