明末至清初 鎏金銅天王坐像兩尊

the figures each finely cast and seated in relaxed lalitasana, their robust bodies clad in chain-mail skimming the top of their boots, a celestial scarf draped across the shoulders and billowing to the sides, crisply cast with lively expressions of wide open eyes and knitted brows appearing both ferocious and compassionate, their faces framed by large earrings and surmounted by an elaborate crown and high chignon applied with traces of polychrome, Virudhaka carrying a sword, Vaishravana with a snake winding down the other arm and lifting a pyramidical stupa in the other hand and wearing a ferocious lion mask, kirtimukha, across his rotund belly, the base of each double lotus pedestal unsealed

The left figure has two small losses to the curled hair tassel on his right shoulder, and repair/casting flaws to the snake near this area. There is a dent to the right side of the lotus base, and an associated crack to the top of the base. The right figure with casting flaws/patches of repair to the face, including the nose and below the mouth. There is a further casting flaw/crack near his elbow, and three deep horizontal scratches to his right hand. The two ends of the billowing ceremonial scarf are reinforced by pins. Both figures have unsealed bases. There are general minor dents, casting flaws and surface wear.
"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."

These two finely cast figures represent Virudhaka and Vaishravana, two of the heavenly kings who are on earth to guard the four cardinal points of the world and are Protectors of the Buddhist Law (dharma). Guardian figures were originally placed on the four sides of stupas, guarding the Buddhist relics inside, but gilt-bronze sculptures of this form would have been produced for temples and principal places of worship.

It is rare to find gilt-bronze guardian figures depicted seated in relaxed lalitasana., as opposed to the majority of such figures, which are depicted standing. See two early Ming gilt-bronze guardian figures in poses, from the Fuller Memorial collection and now in the Seattle Art Museum, Seattle, illustrated in Hugo Munsterberg, Chinese Buddhist Bronzes, Tokyo, 1967, pls. 93 and 94.

For standing figures sold at auction, see a pair of large guardian figures sold in our London rooms, 16th June 1998, lot 7, and now in the collection of Compton Verney Art Gallery; and a pair from Joslyn Art Museum, Omaha, Nebraska, sold in our New York rooms, 28th May 1991, lot 149.