An unusual enameled and gilt-decorated figure of a Bodhisattva, Qing dynasty, 18th-19th century. Photo Sotheby's

portrayed in a half-kneeling position on a circular pedestal ringed with overlapping lappets, hands raised to the chest holding a flaming jewel, dressed in a shawl open at the chest to expose an elaborate beaded necklace above a dhoti tied at the waist, crowned with a tall five-pointed tiara fronting a tall bejeweled chignon, the face, chest, arms and legs gilded, the garments covered with brown patterned enamel, painted in gilt and sprayed with shades of blue, yellow and pink. Height 15 3/4  in., 40 cm. Estimation 30,000 — 50,000 USD

Note: Gilded porcelain figures of bodhisattva were produced from the Qianlong period onwards.  The inspiration for such figures may have come from Ming dynasty bronze prototypes, such as the Xuande period gilt-bronze figure currently in the Berti Aschmann Foundation, Museum Reitberg, illustrated in On the Path to Enlightenment, Zurich, 1995, no. 72.

Sotheby's. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art. New York | 17 sept. 2013 - http://www.sothebys.com