Statuette de Guandi en bronze doré Chine, dynastie Qing, XVIIIE siècle

représenté assis sur un socle rectangulaire lobé sur le devant, vêtu d'une cuirasse sous une longue robe brodée, tenant un de ses longs favoris dans sa main droite, le visage sévère agrémenté de longues barbes et moustaches, son casque surmonté d'une riche coiffe ; base non scellée

Guandi, also known as Guangong (the Lord Guan), is reputed to be the military hero, Guanyu of the Three Kingdoms period, who was killed in battle in Jingzhou by the army of Sun Quan, the ruler of the state of Wu.
The cult of Guandi was actively supported by the Ming Court and his image can be found in Court paintings. In the Qing period his popularity continued to grow, and he became an important deity for both Daoist and Buddhist devotees.
Several Guandi figures from different periods are in the Chang Foundation, illustrated in the exhibition catalogue, Buddhist Images in Gilt Metal, 84, 85 and 86.
Compare a gilt bronze figure of Guandi also dated from the 18th century sold at Christie's Paris, 15 December 2010, lot 289 and Christie's London, 13 May 2008, lot 133.