Astride the White Elephant

Viewing notes

A viewer's written impression — not a buyer review or first-hand record

This golden bodhisattva sits in full lotus on a blossoming golden lotus, borne aloft by a white elephant. Crowned, with downcast eyes and a gentle smile, the figure holds a fly-whisk in one hand while the other rests before the knee. Behind rises a tall pointed aureole carved edge to edge with flames and scrolling foliage, its layered gold gathering the seated figure into the centre. Curls of blue, green and violet cloud roll out at either side of the throne. Below, the elephant stands serene in a gold-studded harness with a crimson saddle cloth, its feet on red lotus pads above a base of dark cloud scrolls, its trunk lowered and just lifting at the tip. Splendid above and calm below, gold answered by colour, the piece commands the principal position of a shrine or anchors a room at first sight.