A MING GILT-BRONZE SEATED FIGURE OF DIGUAN

16TH CENTURY

Details

A MING GILT-BRONZE SEATED FIGURE OF DIGUAN
16th century
The Daoist deity with a stern expression below the high bejewelled hat, his wispy beard falling over the layers of robes with flower-scroll hems covering the entire body revealing only the tips of his shoes and his hands clasping a tablet before his chest, minor age crack
10¼in. (26cm.) high, wood stand

Provenance

Minnesota Museum of American Art

Lot Essay

Diguan is the Earth Official, one of the three high officials of Daoism. His role is to forgive misconduct, and he is often depicted with a stern expression. Compare the standing figure of Diguan in the Chang Foundation, illustrated in Buddhist Images in Gilt Metal, no.81.

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