Until 31st Dec, 2025
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A RARE AND LARGE BRONZE FIGURE OF BISHAMONTEN, EDO PERIOD
Lot 169 - JPN0625
Japan, 18th-19th century, Edo period (1615-1868)
Crisply cast to depict the heavenly king standing atop three demons, one biting his shoe, dressed in an elaborate armor with brocade patterns, key-fret, and a beast mask at the belly. The round face with a fierce expression, bulging eyes, and mouth ajar, surmounted by a tall chignon behind a floral crown. His left hand holding a pagoda, and the right hand raised above the shoulders.
Typically, most figures of this size depicting the guardian kings are made of carved and lacquered wood. It is rather unusual to find a figure of this size made of bronze.
HEIGHT 97 cm
WEIGHT 33.4 kg
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, casting irregularities, one attribute lost, minor soldering marks to the chignon, a small section near the insert for the left foot is slightly loose and shows a small loss.
Provenance: European private collection. Koller, Asiatica, 18 June 2024, Zurich, lot 315 (estimated at CHF 15,000).
Bishamonten, the god of war and warriors, is the most powerful of the four guardian kings (Shitenno) corresponding with the four cardinal directions. The guardian of the north, Tamonten, is derived from the Hindu god Kuvera (Kubera), who is a god of wealth. The pagoda in his left hand symbolizes the heavenly treasure house which he both protects and dispenses. His trident represents the three jewels: the Buddha, the dharma, and the singha (community).
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