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Lot Essay
The present figure is one of the four Devarajas or Celestial Kings of the Directions, who preside over the Buddhist Universe on Mount Meru as Protectors of the Buddhist Law in the Buddhist Pantheon. Specific identification of these figures is often difficult as they are predominately recognised by their individual attributes that are often missing.
Compare to a similarly cast gilt-bronze guardian figure of Vaisravana, identified by the tower held in his left hand, in the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, purchased by the Asian Art Acquisition Fund in memory of Laurence Sickman and illustrated in Masterworks of Chinese Art, pp. 86-7, where it is dated Yuan dynasty.
Compare to a similarly cast gilt-bronze guardian figure of Vaisravana, identified by the tower held in his left hand, in the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, purchased by the Asian Art Acquisition Fund in memory of Laurence Sickman and illustrated in Masterworks of Chinese Art, pp. 86-7, where it is dated Yuan dynasty.