White jade plaque "Child and Guanyin", Qing dynasty

White jade carved intricately on both sides. It is rectangular with square corners and depicts a relief of a child worshipping the goddess Guanyin on one side and a cartouche with characters surrounded by clouds on the other. The fineness and detail of the carving are noteworthy. In very good condition for its age.

The scene depicted "童子拜觀音" (child worshipping the goddess Guanyin) shows the Buddhist goddess in the centre, on a high rock, next to a censer on the upper left. On the lower right is a child kneeling on a lotus stand, depicted smaller, and below him are three flying herons. The goddess is observing the boy's good fortune and he bows to her to respectfully ask for her teachings. A child who is good at gaining the trust of a bodhisattva has a heart for enlightenment. 

Size: 12.9 x 6.8 cm; Weight: 257 g