Lot 56. A carved limestone head of a guardian, Ming Dynasty; 28.2cm (11 1/8in) high. Estimate £ 10,000 - 15,000. Sold for £ 17,562 (€ 20,506). Photo Bonhams.

The face smoothly carved with large bulbous eyes beneath protruding furrowed brows and a cap with mythical-beast head motif at the front, the nose with wide nostrils between full cheeks and above pursed lips, all between long ears, stand.

Property from the Collection of John J. Studzinski, CBE

Provenance: John J. Studzinski, CBE 

Note: This powerfully sculpted figure may represent a Dvarapala, which were based on Hindu guardians and adopted by Buddhism as fearsome armed the guardians of the four quarters of the world. Depictions of these figures appear throughout the Dunhuang caves, where they are often dressed in Sui and Tang style armor.

Compare with a related but larger iron head of a guardian, Yuan dynasty, in the British Museum, London, acc.no.1960.0729.1.

Bonhams. Fine Chinese Art, London, 7 Nov 2019