A very finely carved and elegant Japanese oikimono depicting the Goddess Kannon standing on a rock holding a scroll. This maritime ivory statue is 16.5 cm high excluding the wooden stand. The statue is partly coloured with black and iron red accents. Carved circa 1900. Nicely worn especially the rock. A good example of the great craftsmanship of Japanese sculptors. Provenance: Private collection Amsterdam. The Dutch held the almost exclusive European monopoly on the trade with Japan from 1639-1654. The Goddess Kannon is the Goddess of purification, mercy and compassion. Kannon is the Japanese equivalent of Guan Yin in China. This maritime ivory statue depicts most likely the White Robed Kannon (Byakue Kannon). The scroll in her hand symbolizes the transmission of Buddhist teachings, the Dharma. The vessel at the foot of the Goddess most likely represents the water of wisdom. This okimono is signed at the base with a monogram but the artist is unknown to me.