Antique Gilded Wood Guandi, God of War and Justice, China,(16326)

Description

Guandi, the God of War and Justice and Protector of China and its citizens was  and continues to be a Chinese model of loyalty, virtue and morality The end of Guandi’s name (di) is significant, as Chinese names ending with di  refer to an imperial cult and their canonized status. A military general late in the Han dynasty who died in 220AD, he was deified during the MIng in 1594 and was declared The God of War and Justice and Protector of China and all its citizens. Guandi (Guandi) or Guan Yu) is worshipped by devotees of Taoism, Buddhism, Popular Folk Religion or Confucianism and is fondly is called Emperor Guan and Lord Guan. Acclaimed and glorified after his death and romanticized in dramas, literature, and popular legends and stories, his statues large and small depicted in Temples and home shrines throughout China.

This small acative figurine wears deeply cut military maille, portrayed in a dynamic, powerful pose. Sitting  on a thin wood plank, his legs are far apart, the left out and bent at the knee, and the right bare foot reaches towards the ground. Black gloves cover his fisted hands that express his energy and power. A mythical taotie with bulging eyes, a protruding nose and no lower jaw is carved at his stomach as a warning against gluttony. His black hair is neatly arranged down the back, over an open cavity which confirms it was consecrated in an eye-opening ceremony by a Taoist priest. Likely part of a larger piece, it is mounted on a frosted acrylic stand.