This exceptional Chinese lacquered-wood sculpture represents Vaishravana, an important wealth deity and guardian king of the northern direction popular in both Tibet and China. Vaishravana is the king of the yaksha, a class of earth spirits. He is yellow or, as in this case golden. No trace remains of his attributes, a victory banner in the right hand and a jewel spitting mongoose in the left. Also the headdress is missing at this sculpture. He is dressed in an elaborate coat of mail and sits in a relaxed fashion on his lion vehicle.
Details