Holding the Ruyi

Viewing notes

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

This slender polychrome standing goddess narrows at the shoulders and widens steadily toward the hem. She wears a pink floral crown fronted by a rectangular panel of golden beads, with a pink veil falling behind her shoulders. Both hands meet before her, holding a golden ruyi upright; a jewelled necklace with coloured stones rests on her chest, and her red bodice is embroidered all over with round floral medallions. The wide sleeves are teal-green, hung with strings of red beads, and a red sash ties in a bow at the waist, one long end falling straight to the skirt. The skirt itself shades from orange to gold, engraved with tier upon tier of chevrons and finished with a wave-pattern hem. The colours are festive and strong, the expression composed — a figure for a shrine, or to lend a hall a bright, steady presence.