Caption

Weituo — protector of Buddhist learning and monasteries;, figurine; Chinese art; Chinese Buddhism; guardian deity and bodhisattva iconography. According to tradition, Weituo's role is to preserve Buddhist teachings and protect monasteries; he fought demons attempting to steal Buddha's relics and is depicted as a general wearing a high helmet and full chain mail armor, secured at the waist with a belt adorned with a monster's head, usually shown with a sword. Sculpture, 15th–16th century, China. Dimensions: height 32.0 cm; width 15.8 cm; depth 10.5 cm., A dark brown carved figure viewed from behind, standing on a low scalloped base; the figure wears layered armor with textured scale-like patterns and draped skirt elements, and has looping ornamental bands or sashes that curve around the shoulders and back; the head is topped with a rounded, decorated helmet or headdress, and the arms are bent with hands extending slightly outward; the surface shows polished highlights and worn areas in lighter brown, with small areas of darker black-brown patina; the background is a smooth gradient of gray transitioning from darker at the top to lighter near the bottom.

Credit line

Photo12/Liszt Collection

Reference

LZT26A22_233

License type

Rights managed

Available size

73.6Mb (1.1Mb) / 14.3in x 20.0in / 4286 x 6000 (300dpi)

Keywords

Weituo protector Buddhist learning monasteries figurine Chinese art Chinese Buddhism guardian deity bodhisattva iconography According tradition Weituo's role preserve Buddhist teachings protect monasteries fought demons attempting steal Buddha's relics depicted general wearing high helmet full chain mail armor secured waist belt adorned monster's head usually shown sword Sculpture 15th–16th century China Dimensions height 32.0 cm width 15.8 cm depth 10.5 cm dark brown carved figure viewed standing low scalloped base figure wears layered armor textured scale- patterns draped skirt elements looping ornamental bands sashes curve shoulders back head topped rounded decorated helmet headdress arms bent hands extending slightly outward surface polished highlights worn areas lighter brown small areas darker black-brown patina background smooth gradient gray transitioning darker top lighter near bottom.