Description:

East Asia, Japan, ca. 19th century CE. A pair of handsome carved Cypress wood Nio Guardians, also known as "Benevolent Kings", each carved with a fierce, warrior-like countenance. One is Misshaku Kongo and the other Naeren Kongo, with Kongorikishi being another term for Nio. They are the wrathful, muscle-bound guardians of the Buddha who flank the entrances of Buddhist temples in eastern parts of Asia, especially Japan. The figures stand out as some of the few aggressive beings in the Buddhist pantheon, and are sometimes used to justify physical violence to protect against evil. These two each stand atop an integral wooden plinth, posed dynamically, with their skirts and belts flowing around them as if moved by their striking a pose. A stunning pair with some remaining red pigment on their clothing! Size: 16" W x 36" H (40.6 cm x 91.4 cm)

Provenance: ex-private northern Colorado, USA collection

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#146678

  • Condition: One has a repair to one foot/base. Both have weathered surfaces with fissures in the wood from age. A few small chips, nicks, and scratches commensurate with age. Overall the detail of each figure is excellently preserved,

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May 22, 2019 7:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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