A small Chinese patinated bronze model of Guandi, Ming dynasty 關帝銅像 明

The martial guardian energetically modelled, seated holding his handsome beard in hand, his armor decorated with refined patterns, with later wood stand

H: 7 1/2 in. (without stand)

Provenance

Formerly in the collection of Franklin Lee Hand (1927-2019), San Francisco, noted antiques dealer and patron of the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco Thence by descent.

Frank Hand arrived in San Francisco after serving in the United States military, eventually becoming an executive at Metropolitan Life Insurance Company (MetLife). He retired in the 1970s and became an antiques dealer specializing in Asian arts. Mr. Hand acquired many works from his friend, the noted dealer and San Francisco cultural leader Chingwah Lee (1901-1980), local auction houses such as Butterfields, and directly from San Francisco and East Bay estates being dispersed in the 1970s and 1980s. He was a major benefactor to the San Francisco Asian arts museum, with several donated works including a rare pair of carved Indian armchairs designed by Lockwood de Forrest (accession #2011.58.1-.2).