MING DYNASTY (1368-1644)

This imposing figure is related not just to other bronze guardian figures, such as the very similar, but larger (58.5 cm. high), bronze figure illustrated by Giter & Li Yin, The Beauty of Ancient Chinese Sculptures, December 1995, p. 82, no. 31, where the figure is identified as Dhanada (Northern Lokapala), guardian of the North, but also to large painted stucco figures found in temples. A stylistically similar figure of massive proportions (2 m. high), identified as the Guardian of the North, in the Baimasi (White Horse Temple), Luoyang, is illustrated in Zhongguo meishu quanji; diaosu bian; Yuan Ming Qing diaosu (6), Beijing 1988, pl. 9. Dated late Yuan/early Ming, the guardian is very similarly attired and stands in a very similar posture holding a stupa in the raised left hand, and a halberd in the right. See, also, the bronze figure dressed in elaborate armor and shown holding a stupa sold at Christie’s New York, 20 September 2005, lot 146.