The figure finely modelled wearing a cloth cap tied in a simple knot over the head with two trailing ribbons, the face with frowning brows and the mouth surrounded by holes for a moustache and beard, the hands held to one side and concealed beneath long flowing robes, all covered in a rich creamy glaze, wood stand. 36cm (14 1/8in) high (2).

Notes: The figure represents Guandi, the God of War, who is the deification of a historical hero General Guan Yu (died AD217). He was a warrior of renowned bravery and honour and was lionised in the popular Ming novel 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms' by Luo Guanzhong. Under constant threat of foreign incursions, the late Ming government under the Wanli emperor sponsored the cult worship of Guan Yu as the God of War as well as the God of Wealth to help raise martial spirit among the population. Compare with a very similar figure of Guandi, dated from 1625-1675, illustrated by P.J.Donnelly, Blanc De Chine: The Porcelain of Tehua in Fukien, New York, 1967, pl.97a.

Bonhams. AUCTION 23237: FINE CHINESE ART, LONDON, NEW BOND STREET