A gilt-bronze figure of a dvarapala, Tang dynasty
唐 鎏金銅力士立像
Details
A gilt-bronze figure of a dvarapala
Tang Dynasty
唐 鎏金銅力士立像
Height 3 in., 7.6 cm.
EXHIBITED
Reflection and Enlightenment: Chinese Buddhist Gilt Bronzes from the Jane and Leopold Swergold Collection, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, 2017-2018.
展覽
《Reflection and Enlightenment: Chinese Buddhist Gilt Bronzes from the Jane and Leopold Swergold Collection》，休士頓美術館，休士頓，2017至2018年
LITERATURE
Beatrice Chan, "Reflection and Enlightenment: Chinese Buddhist Gilt Bronzes from the Jane and Leopold Swergold Collection at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston", Arts of Asia, January/February 2018, pp 58-65.
出版
Beatrice Chan，〈Reflection and Enlightenment: Chinese Buddhist Gilt Bronzes from the Jane and Leopold Swergold Collection at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston〉，《Arts of Asia》，2018年1至2月，頁58至65
This finely cast small figure with strong muscular features depicts a dvarapala, a male gate or entrance guardian figure, typically depicted supporting a ledge, or the ferocious lokapala or tianhuang (Heavenly King) that were placed in pairs to protect the four corners of the universe. Traditionally dvarapala were portrayed as frightening creatures with strong masculine bodies. The present figure is a fine example of a sinicized version of the guardian, which is derived from Gupta-period (320-550) imagery that shows dvarapala in human-form and adorned with accessories.
Tang Dynasty
唐 鎏金銅力士立像
Height 3 in., 7.6 cm.
EXHIBITED
Reflection and Enlightenment: Chinese Buddhist Gilt Bronzes from the Jane and Leopold Swergold Collection, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, 2017-2018.
展覽
《Reflection and Enlightenment: Chinese Buddhist Gilt Bronzes from the Jane and Leopold Swergold Collection》，休士頓美術館，休士頓，2017至2018年
LITERATURE
Beatrice Chan, "Reflection and Enlightenment: Chinese Buddhist Gilt Bronzes from the Jane and Leopold Swergold Collection at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston", Arts of Asia, January/February 2018, pp 58-65.
出版
Beatrice Chan，〈Reflection and Enlightenment: Chinese Buddhist Gilt Bronzes from the Jane and Leopold Swergold Collection at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston〉，《Arts of Asia》，2018年1至2月，頁58至65
This finely cast small figure with strong muscular features depicts a dvarapala, a male gate or entrance guardian figure, typically depicted supporting a ledge, or the ferocious lokapala or tianhuang (Heavenly King) that were placed in pairs to protect the four corners of the universe. Traditionally dvarapala were portrayed as frightening creatures with strong masculine bodies. The present figure is a fine example of a sinicized version of the guardian, which is derived from Gupta-period (320-550) imagery that shows dvarapala in human-form and adorned with accessories.