A LARGE POLYCHROME WOOD FIGURE OF KOMOKUTEN (VIRUPAKSHA), THE GUARDIAN KING OF THE WEST, MUROMACHI PERIOD

拍品描述

A LARGE POLYCHROME WOOD FIGURE OF KOMOKUTEN (VIRUPAKSHA), THE GUARDIAN KING OF THE WEST, MUROMACHI PERIOD Japan, 14th-16th century, Muromachi period (1333-1573) Of yosegi (joined) construction, finely carved and richly painted to depict Komokuten standing in dynamic pose atop a prostrate demon on a wave-form base raised on a waisted square plinth with foliate panels enclosing dharmachakras and foliage-incised gilt-metal fittings. The Guardian King is clad in armor secured with a belt at the waist and a pair of gilt-metal shoulder straps, and holds a sutra scroll in his left hand. His face with a menacing expression marked by intensely staring eyes inlaid in crystal with painted pupils, the hair pulled up into a high chignon. HEIGHT 67.8 cm Komokuten (Virupaksha) is one of the Shitenno or Four Guardian Kings, mighty protectors of the Buddhist law. The Shitenno’ origins are in Hindu traditions and were adopted into the Buddhist pantheon as subjugators of Buddha's enemies. With their transmission into East Asian Buddhist teachings, their appearance took on a martial quality and their iconography included armor, weapons, and fearsome expressions. In temple halls where sculptural arrangements were set up to emulate Sumeru, the Buddhist cosmic mountain, the Shitenno were placed at the four corners surrounding and protecting the central Buddhist sculptures in the configuration. Komokuten guards the west. In Japan, the status of the Shitenno was further elevated to include protection of the nation. Museum comparison: Compare a related earlier gilt and polychrome wood figure of Komokuten, dated Kamakura period, 66 cm high, in the National Museum of Asian Art, Smithsonian Institution, accession number F1976.12. Auction comparison: Compare a closely related lacquered wood figure of Zochoten, dated to the Nanbokucho period, 14th century, the figure 83 cm high, the base 25.4 cm high, at Christie’s, Japanese & Korean Art, 24 March 2010, New York, lot 594 (sold for 47,500 USD or approx. EUR 62,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing).

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