Seated Guanyin with Child and two companions, China, Dehua, Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1911), Kangxi era (1662 - 1722), 2nd Half of the 17th Century. Porcelain. H. 37.5 cm, W. 15.5 cm, D. 10.7 cm, 15.6 x 9 cm, 1932 g. PO 8612. Porcelain Collection. © Dresden State Art Collections 2013

A pure white body with a transparent glaze is characteristic of the porcelain kilns of Dehua (Fujian Province), which is referred to in Europe as the Blanc de Chine. Originally included the collection of Augustus the Strong, more than 1200 Dehua porcelains, of which about 500 are received in the Dresden collection. The Bodhisattva Guanyin (Sanskrit Avalokitesvara) in Buddhism is the Bodhisattva who looks down merciful, the most important deity in the Mahayana Buddhism of the "Great Vehicle". He's here in female form in the form of "sons granted Guanyin" (Chinese Songzi Guanyin) is shown. Guanyin seated on a rocky base, at the foot of two writhing dragons. On her lap she holds a small boy. Right and left on a rock base to find the attributes of the Guanyin bottle of water of life, and picture book role. The deity is accompanied by the daughter of the Dragon King (Chinese longnu) and the truth-seeking boys Sudhana (Ch Shancai). The type of "sons granted Guanyin" developed in the syncretic Chinese folk religion. The characters from "Dehua" - like porcelain originally have stood on a home altar for worship and acceptance of childlessness. During the 17th Century came from Dehua white porcelain large quantities to Europe. The popularity of this particular Guanyin was probably in their outward resemblance to the Christian type of Mary with the baby Jesus. (From The Porcelain Collection in Dresden, China, Japan, Meissen, Dresden, 2006, p 41)