Lot 1632. A large and finely cast gilt-bronze standing figure of Weituo, Ming dynasty, 16th-17th century; 22½ in. (57.1 cm.) high. Estimate USD 150,000 - USD 250,000. Price realised USD 626,500. © Christie's Images Ltd 2011.

The guardian of the Buddhist faith portrayed with a youthful face, his hands held in anjalimudra, clad in full chain-mail armor and helmet, with billowing celestial scarf, sleeves and ribbons, the details all finely cast and chased, bronze stand. 

Note: Weituo is regarded as a protector of the Buddhist law. In orthodox Buddhist monasteries, his image is often found in the first hall with his back to Maitreya and facing the image of Buddha in the main hall. He is mentioned in the Suvarnaprabhasa-sutra as the leader of the twenty-four celestial guardian deities.

He is usually portrayed as a clean-shaven youth dressed in full armor. In keeping with the non-violent philosophy of Buddhism, he never holds his weapon. It is usually held pointing downwards, held in one hand supported against his shoulder, or laid across his arms with his hands held in anjalimudra. For a parcel gilt-copper figure of Weituo, of Ming dynasty date, shown in the same pose in the Guangji Si in Beijing, see Ancient Temples in Beijing, Beijing, 1995, p. 127.

Weituo is never venerated in the home, and therefore there are hardly any small images of him. Another large gilt-bronze temple figure from the Seattle Art Museum is illustrated by H. Munsterberg, in Chinese Buddhist Bronzes, Tokyo, 1967, pl. 94; and two others sold were in these rooms, 30 May, 1991, lot 9, and 2 June 1994, lot 68. A bronze image dated to 1640 was also sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 31 May, 2010, lot 1965

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Part I and Part II Including Property from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections, New York, 24 March 2011