A LARGE GILT-LACQUERED WOOD FIGURE OF WEITUO

Description:

China, Ming dynasty
H. 100 cm
The bodhisattva dressed as a warrior, standing with one foot thrust forward, the arms and hands at waist-level posed to hold a now missing weapon, wearing chainmail armor over flowing robes, the midriff with a fierce 'monster'-mask chestguard, the mail skirt terminating in mask-weights, the face with a gentle expression, red lacquer under the gilding and additional lacquer accenting the face and clothing.
Old European private collection, acquired from Christie's. Amsterdam, November 18th, 1996, lot 74
Weituo appears in Buddhist temples as the 'Entry Guardian.' He leads the thirty-two heavenly generals who come under the Four Heavenly Kings and has earned such titles as the 'Protector of the Buddhist Faith,' the 'Protector of Monasteries,' and the 'Protector of Dharma Books.' In all temples where his image is found, he is always placed with his back to the statue of Maitreya Buddha so that he faces the Main or Grand Hall where the principal deities of the temple are enshrined
Minor damages due to age, partly rest.