Bronze. China, Ming dynasty, approx. 17th cent.
Guandi is China’s famous god of war, first awarded this position during the Ming dynasty. His characteristic features are his armour and long black beard, which he is caressing. He was initially a merchant of bean-mousse named Guanyu, but soon after became the warrior companion of Luibei and Zhangfei, together forming the „Three Heroes of the (late) Han“. The bronze shows him in the well-known pose with a martial facial expression sitting wide-legged on a carved wooden base resembling rocks. HEIGHT 24,7 CM
From an Austrian private collection
Note: Old label „Confuzius“ is not correct, neither is „Kuon Ti“ (the former transcription of Guandi is Kwanti)