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Lot Essay
Weituo is regarded as a protector of the Buddhist law. In orthodox Buddhist monasteries, his image is often found in the first hall with his back to Maitreya and facing the image of Buddha in the main hall. He is mentioned in the Suvarnaprabhasa-sutra as the leader of the twenty-four celestial guardian deities.
He is usually portrayed as a clean-shaven youth dressed in full armor. In keeping with the non-violent philosophy of Buddhism, he never holds his weapon. It is usually held pointing downwards, held in one hand supported against his shoulder, or laid across his arms with his hands held in anjali mudra. For a parcel gilt-copper figure of Weituo, of Ming dynasty date, shown in the same pose in the Guangji Si in Beijing, see Ancient Temples in Beijing, Beijing, 1995, p. 127. See, also, two gilt-bronze figures of Weituo shown standing in the same pose, but of larger size, sold at Christie's New York, 24-25 March 2011, lot 1632 (57.1 cm), and 26 March 2010, lot 1304 (19.1 cm.).
He is usually portrayed as a clean-shaven youth dressed in full armor. In keeping with the non-violent philosophy of Buddhism, he never holds his weapon. It is usually held pointing downwards, held in one hand supported against his shoulder, or laid across his arms with his hands held in anjali mudra. For a parcel gilt-copper figure of Weituo, of Ming dynasty date, shown in the same pose in the Guangji Si in Beijing, see Ancient Temples in Beijing, Beijing, 1995, p. 127. See, also, two gilt-bronze figures of Weituo shown standing in the same pose, but of larger size, sold at Christie's New York, 24-25 March 2011, lot 1632 (57.1 cm), and 26 March 2010, lot 1304 (19.1 cm.).