| Antique
Chinese Carving
Kwan
Yu
God of War
Dated,
Circa: early 1900s
H
5.5 in.(14cm), W 3 in.(8cm, D 2.25 in.(6cm)
Condition: Very Good Kwan
Yu (Japanese: Kanu) the God of War, is a patron saint of many trade. He is considered
as the God of Wealth, and a tutelary deity of business in Chinese culture. Furthermore,
as this ivory statue depicts here, Kwan Yu is seen holding the Book of Spring
and Autumn (History Annual of Zhou dynasty, 770-475 B.C.); for this reason, his
God of War divinity is also revered as a God of Literature. Private Collection |
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Kwan
Yu was a general under the posterior of Han dynasty (Three Kingdoms, 220-265 A.D.).
He was executed at the age of 58; but later ennobled to the status of Duke, raised
to the rank of prince in 1128, and finally awarded the title of emperor, saint
or God in 1598. He is one of the most popular of Chinese divinities, worshipped
in every house, and numerous temples were dedicated to him. The statue of Kwan
Yu is placed in the first hall of a Buddhist monastery, and generally worshipped
on the 15th day of the second moon, whereas military and civil officials worship
Kwan Yu on the designated day of 13th on the fifth moon.
Carved in round, this statue of Kwan Yu on a dragon seat is a traditional
image of the mythical hero. The statue is deeply incised with elaborate patterns
that represents armor, lions and dragons embedded in waves and clouds. The statue
is heavy with an aged light cream patina, a few small hairlines to the back, and
is in excellent condition. (Please note that the thick vertical lines are seemingly
part of the original old tusk, it was intentionally carved out by the artist.)
The incised date on the base of the statue indicates Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).
However, the style and condition of the statue attributes the carving to a later
date.
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