Caption

Weituo — protector of Buddhist learning and monasteries; unknown creator; figurine; Chinese art; Chinese Buddhism; guardian deity/bodhisattva iconography. Weituo preserves Buddhist teachings and protects monasteries; traditionally fought demons that tried to steal Buddha's relics, hence depicted as a general wearing a high helmet and full chain mail armor, belt adorned with a monster's head, usually shown with a sword. 15th–16th century, China. Sculpture; height 32.0 cm, width 15.8 cm, depth 10.5 cm., A dark brown carved figure stands on a carved base against a neutral gray background, shown in profile with hands held together near chest level. The figure wears an ornate headdress and layered armor with textured detailing, including scale-like patterns and flowing drapery elements that extend down the sides. The surface shows areas of lighter brown highlights on raised details. The base is a darker brown with a slightly weathered appearance and curved cutouts along its lower edge. The overall colors visible are dark brown, lighter brown highlights, and gray from the background.

Credit line

Photo12/Liszt Collection

Reference

LZT26A22_232

License type

Rights managed

Available size

73.6Mb (876.2Kb) / 14.3in x 20.0in / 4286 x 6000 (300dpi)

Keywords

Weituo protector Buddhist learning monasteries unknown creator figurine Chinese art Chinese Buddhism guardian deity bodhisattva iconography preserves Buddhist teachings protects monasteries traditionally fought demons tried steal Buddha's relics hence depicted general wearing high helmet full chain mail armor belt adorned monster's head usually shown sword 15th–16th century China Sculpture height 32.0 cm width 15.8 cm depth 10.5 cm dark brown carved figure stands carved base neutral gray background shown profile hands held together near chest level figure wears ornate headdress layered armor textured detailing scale- patterns flowing drapery elements extend down sides surface areas lighter highlights raised details base darker brown slightly weathered appearance curved cutouts lower edge colors visible dark brown gray background.