A GILT-COPPER GUANDI EQUESTRIAN GROUP QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

the finely cast dharmapala wearing helmet, armour and boots, holding a strand of long beard in his left hand, seated side-saddle on his richly caparisoned mount.



 



 

Collection of Louisa Muller, Brussels,

This finely cast bronze is generally in good condition, but has index finger to right hand missing and his attribute it also missing. There is damage to the end of the right ear of the horse. A number of the semi precious stones are missing from the figure and the horse. There is some rubbing to the gilding on the right hand side of the face and the hands of the figure. Minor rubbing to the reverse of the figure and some rubbing to the patination on the hooves of the horse.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

Guandi, born in China as Guanyu ca. 162AD during the Warring States Period, became an illustrious leader and general, famed for his sense of justice and honour. On his death ca. 219AD, according to some Buddhist accounts, Guanyu manifested himself before the Tripitaka master Ji Zai, the founder of the Tiantai Buddhist sect, vowing to become a Guardian of the Dharma. Thus Guanyu earned the rank of God or Emperor (Di) and was revered by successive generations culminating in the Qing dynasty where he became to be regarded as Patron of the Manchu Dynasty, and became associated with the legendary Tibetan hero King Gesar of Ling. This sculpture of the dharmapala is characteristic of the fine craftsmanship of the Qing period, with expressive movement and with gilding of exceptional colouration. Compare a similar Qing period gilded bronze Guandi on horseback, illustrated in Armand Neven, Lamaistic Art, Brussels, 1975, p. 48, pl. 123, where Neven suggests a Beijing provenance for the statue and recounts that at the end of the eighteenth century Rolpai Dorje, the Changkyahutuktu and spiritual advisor of the Qianlong emperor, associated Guandi as the tutelary deity to the Gelukpa divine triad of Ghuyasamaja, Chakrasamvara and Vajrabhairava.