AN IMPRESSIVE PAIR OF JAPANESE COLD-PAINTED BRONZE FIGURES

AN IMPRESSIVE PAIR OF JAPANESE COLD-PAINTED BRONZE FIGURES
EDO PERIOD, 18TH/19TH CENTURY

Both ferocious-looking Heavenly Gods wearing elaborate armours and standing on rocky outcrops, one cast as Tamonten (Vaisravana), the Guardian of the North, typically holding a stupa or lantern; the other Zōchōten (Virudhaka), Guardian of the South, holding a polearm and with a hand on his hip; each with details painted in red, green and ochre, their faces with remnants of gilding, 61cm and 67cm respectively. (2)

Provenance: from an English private collection, London.

Tamonten's stupa or lantern represents the propagation of Buddhist teachings, and Zōchōten is usually associated with growth and prosperity.