A figure of Guandi seated

Yuan / early Ming dynasty 14th/15th century
China

carbon 14 test result no. rcd-6263 confirms the date

height: 20 cm

Guandi is a god of the Daoist popular pantheon; this is unusual, as he was a real historical character and warrior hero who lived in the early third century ad. Often called the god of war, Guan Yu (his real name), had become a deity of popular religion by the Tang dynasty. As a Daoist god, he was worshipped as a celestial protector against threats to an individual, or the state. He was a special patron of the military – associated with loyalty and bravery, and also revered as a killer of demons and queller of ghosts.

Carved in solid ivory, the figure is seated in a highly recognisable and dashing pose with various parts of his body set at a different axis – thus creating a dynamic composition. His chair is largely obscured by a draped tiger pelt – its hind legs and tail falling over the back, and the front paws and head lying upon the ground, at the front. Leaning forward, with legs apart, his left foot is raised up onto the toes; his left hand clasps the chair arm as if about to stand up. The other hand is raised, and would originally have held the real hair beard that was once inset into the figure’s upper lip, chin and sideboards. The head looks slightly down – with delicately carved features and forceful, confident expression. He wears a cloth cap that is bunched at the back and secured by a tiara at the front.

similar example
‘Chinese Korean and Japanese Sculpture’, The Avery Brundage Collection, Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, Kodansha International, 1974 – figure 160.