The Bodhisattva of Compassion is portrayed here as the patron of fishermen and other mariners. He stands upon a circular base designed to resemble a fish breaking through the waves. Chinese coastal communities in particular revere this form of the Bodhisattva to this day.
This statue was made at the Dehua kilns in Fujian, in south-east China, which are renowned for the delicacy and playfulness of their exquisite porcelain figures. With its deeply cut and cascading drapery folds, this example is especially noteworthy.