Devarajas figures, also known as Kings of the four points of the compass, are important deities in the Buddhist pantheon as protectors of the Law who fought against the forces of evil. They are reputed to be accompanied by large forces of supernatural warriors and placed at four corners of the Buddhist altar. One of the four figures in this present lot, holding a stupa can be identified as Vaisravana, Guardian King of the North, the most important of the four kings and holder of wealth, happiness and virtue. It is likely that attributes held by the other three which include: King of the South (Virupaksa), a sword; King of the East (Dhrtarastra), bow and arrow; and King of the West (Virudhaka), a mace, were made of perishable material or were detachable.

Guardian figures continued to be of importance in Buddhism, and four early Qing examples from the Chang Foundation were exhibited in Buddhist Images in Gilt Metal, Catalogue, p1s. 72 - 75, where vestigial facial features such as the bulging eyes, celestial scarves and body armour remain, although the Guardian of the East curiously appears in this instance with a pipa. The musical instrument attribute could have been introduced as late as the 18th century, and also appears on images of Guardian Kings on 18th/19th century Korean Buddhist paintings. For a Korean painting portraying the Guardian of the East playing a lute, dated to 18th/19th century, cf. W. Zwalf (Ed.), Buddhism Art and Faith, no. 349.

(US$150,000-200,000)