PROVENANCE: From the private collections of Madame Kimball, of Boston, Massachusetts, by inheritance. Records bought from AMEUBLEMENTS ANCIENS, Faiences & Porcelaines, Bibelots & Tapisseries Anciennes, 3 Rue Des Saints-Peres, Paris (6). Dealers in Works of Art & Antiques, Curios, Armor, Plate, China, Jewels, etc.

Dimensons: 9-1/4" H

STUNNING, 18th C. Chinese Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1912) gilt bronze seated Buddha figure of Vaishravana, Guardian of the Northern Direction, King of the Yakshas and Leader of the Worldly Dharma Protectors, chief among the protectors of the Teaching. In the appearance wearing armor suit of a warrior god, he has a round full face like the rising moon, with eyebrows like drawn lines, moustache, .red hair, two beautiful eyes like utpalas, casting side long glances like shooting stars. The head is encircled by areola. With his weight on his right arm lay down on the leg and his left raised out in varada gesture laying comfort to the knee, causing his hip to sway to the right. Seated in a relaxed posture, on rectangular bench of royal ease upon a large piled up hardwood throne covered with imperial silk.Two figures have been adopted by Mahayana temples as Dharma Protectors. The two warriors vow to look after the teachings and protect those who practice them. The first is Guan Yu/ GuangGong, a Chinese general of the Kingdom of Shu during the Three Kingdoms Period (220-280 AD). He is a folk hero and very much part of traditional Chinese Taoism and Shenism. This red or gold faced and bearded figure can be seen at the entrance of the main hall of many temples in China. He carries a halberd and has a stern expression. His usage is a classic example of non-Buddhist entities being brought into the pantheon.