Page 231 - Bonhams May 12 16 London

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218
A DOCUMENTARY GILT-BRONZE FIGURE OF
GUANDI
Dated first year of Wanli, corresponding to AD 1573
and of the period
The God of War standing defiantly on a pedestal, his
left hand drawing back his robe to reveal a suit of
finely defined armour underneath, his bearded face
cast with fierce expression.
21.5cm (8 1/2in) high

£4,000 - 6,000 CNY37,000 - 55,000
HK$44,000 - 66,000

萬曆元年（AD 1573） 銅鎏金關聖帝君立像 218
「桐汗姚釪男希元萬曆元年立」楷書刻款

Guandi, the God of War, was originally an important
general during the Three Kingdoms period (AD169-
280) made by popular by operas and novels.
Though his deification can be traced back to the Sui
dynasty (AD581-614), it was not until the reign of
Emperor Wanli that the state itself endorsed the cult
worship of Guandi.

FINE CHINESE ART | 229