Details
A Pair of Wood Nio (Temple Guardians)
Edo period (19th century)
Of lacquered wood, modelled as two standing deities on stands
Each 64cm. high
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Lot Essay

The guardian figures modelled to stand at either side of the entrance gate to a Buddhist temple. Their mission was to ward off danger and evil forces from the temple precincts. Fierce defenders of the faith, they have intense expressions and powerful bodies, the fingers spread out or tightly clasped, one figure holding a thunderbolt (vajra). The mouth of one guardian is closed to represent the Buddhist incantation ‘Un’ and the mouth of the other is open to represent the incantation ‘Ah’.

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Refined Beauty: Japanese Art of the Edo Period
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