A large well cast figure of Guandi, Ming dynasty (1368-1644).

The figure is shown seated with his left hand resting on his thigh. He is dressed in a long scholars robe over his armour with a raised belt decorated to shoulders, knees and front with a leaping dragon amidst clouds, further a floral scroll decoration at the hem. The face with fierce expression and well-groomed beard, the hair pulled up and hidden under a classic Ming scholars hat, his right hand playing with his long beard. Consecrated in red to interior. Height 41 cm. Height with later wood stand in the shape of a horseshoe arm chair 46 cm.

Wear,

Provenance

From the collection of Mr Sjösten, Gothenburg, inherited from his partner of "Hatt Gösta" (Andersson) in 2005, Gothenburg, thence by descent. According to he Sjösten family Gösta most probably aquired prior to 1990.

Exhibitions

Compare with a figure of this type but larger in the British Museum, Museum number OA+.7023.

Compare a much smaller one, sold at Christies, Live Auction 11928. Fine Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art part I. lot 1423.

Compare also with Christies, Live Auction 22642
Important Chinese Art Including the Collection of Dorothy Tapper Goldman. Lot 1151.

Christies, Live Auction 3484. The Sublime and the Beautiful: Asian Masterpieces of Devotion. Lot 1627.

More information

This imposing figure, with his handsome and benevolent features, represents Guan Di, the God of War, is a popular figure in Chinese mythology and culture.

His image comes from an historical figure who lived during the chivalrous era of the Three Kingdoms (about 161-220), Guan Yu, was a general who helped Liu Bei to establish the Shu Han dynasty in AD 221. After his death, he was venerated as a loyal and righteous figure, his fame continued to grow as rulers conferred successively greater titles upon him.

Finally, in 1594, a Ming dynasty emperor canonized him as god of war—protector of China and of all its citizens. Thousands upon thousands of temples were constructed, each bearing the title Wu Miao (Warrior Temple) or Wu Sheng Miao (Sacred Warrior Temple). With the name Guan Di, he was worshipped in temples and households as the daoist God of War, honest merchants and in this attire with the scholars robe over the armour he was venerated as the patron god of scholars.

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