Lot 3111. A gilt-bronze figure of a guardian, Ming dynasty, late 15th-16th century; 11 1/2 in. (29 cm.) high. Estimate HKD 700,000 - HKD 900,000. Price realised HKD 750,000. © Christie's Image Ltd 2014. 

The figure is heavily and powerfully cast with legs slightly apart, wearing an elaborate chain-mail armour secured about the waist, and flowing celestial scarves billowing above the head and trailing to the ground, with his arms raised to hold an attribute that is now missing, wood stand.

Note: The present figure is one of the four Devarajas or Celestial Kings of the Directions, who preside over the Buddhist Universe on Mount Meru as Protectors of the Buddhist Law in the Buddhist Pantheon. Specific identification of these figures is often difficult as they are predominately recognised by their individual attributes that are often missing.

Compare to a similarly cast gilt-bronze guardian figure of Vaisravana, identified by the tower held in his left hand, in the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, purchased by the Asian Art Acquisition Fund in memory of Laurence Sickman and illustrated in Masterworks of Chinese Art, pp. 86-7, where it is dated Yuan dynasty.

Christie's. Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, Hong Kong, 26 November 2014