Putuo Island in the East China Sea, where Nanhai Guanyin was known to have appeared, was a popular destination for Buddhist pilgrims, especially from the 12th to 14th centuries, the mid-16th to mid-17th century, and throughout the 18th century. Today, it is once again an actively visited site. In this sculpture, Nanhai Guanyin stands atop the waves of the sea. The Dehua kilns’ distinctive porcelain was well suited to the production of sculptural figures, while its characteristic white color fit with the Buddhist tradition of white as the color of knowledge and purity. Christian traders and missionaries also responded to the compassionate nature of Guanyin, naming her “Goddess of Mercy” and equating her with the Virgin Mary.