Cast holding a scroll with both hands, clothed in shawl and dhoti with swirling scarves, the chest hung with garlands of jewels, the face with a serene expression, framed by an elaborate crown and lotus blossoms issuing from the palms, the right blossom supporting a ruyi, the left a now-missing triple gem, seated lalitasana on a recumbent, caparisoned, celestial elephant with six tusks, all raised on a semi-ovular lotus base, the reverse of the base incised with a long dedicatory inscription. 18in (46cm) high.
Note: The inscription may be translated as 'Central Government Office eunuch Ji Jinchao and elder brother Ji Zhongkui vowed to commission images of the three great bodhisattvas (Avalokiteshvara, Manjushri and Samantabhadra), and heavenly guardians Skanda (Wei Tuo) and Vaisravana (Li Jing), to be venerated forever in the Mituo Nunnery. Dedicated on an auspicious day in the 9th month of the 4th year of the reign of the Tianqi emperor (1624)'.
Bonhams. ASIAN WORKS OF ART, 30 Oct 2017, 10:00 EDT - NEW YORK