Peach in Hand, Dragon Staff Raised

Viewing notes

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

This polychrome seated goddess sits on a throne carved all over with golden dragons. She wears an elaborate golden phoenix crown, her round face calm, eyes lowered. Her right hand raises a long, slender golden staff that climbs past her shoulder, a golden dragon coiling at its top beside the crown; her left hand holds before her a large blushing peach, two green leaves still at its tip. The robes run red and orange beneath a teal shoulder cape, with a great blue ruyi-shaped pendant at the chest, big peonies embroidered across the skirt, and hems layered out in purple. The high throne back and arms are dense with golden dragons, auspicious beasts and scrolls, inlaid with coloured stones, and the golden rectangular plinth bears an inscription-like band of carved characters. Splendid and warm at once — a figure for a shrine, or a festive, weighty presence in a hall.