The gilt lacquer, wooden figure depicting the bodhisattva Weituo dressing as a warrior, standing with one foot thrusting forward, the arms and hands at waist level posing to hold a now-missing weapon, wearing chainmail armor over flowing robes, the midriff with a fierce 'monster' mask, the mail skirt terminating in further masks, the face with a gentle expression, dating to the Ming dynasty. Weituo appears in Buddhist temples as the 'Entry Guardian.' He leads the thirty-two heavenly generals who come under the Four Heavenly Kings, and he has earned such titles as the 'Protector of the Buddhist Faith', the 'Protector of Monasteries' and the 'Protector of Dharma Books.' In all temples where his image is found, he is always placed with his back to the statue of Maitreya Buddha so that he faces the Main or Grand Hall where the principal deities of the temple are enshrined. Dimensions are: 36 inches tall X 21 inches wide, 91.4 cm tall X 53.3 cm wide. All measurements are approximate. Condition: Some breakage, cracking, and loss to the surface. Provenance: From Mr. Berlin in Virginia, a personal collection. Purchased on July 5th, 1963 from Rubi Oriental Arts in New York City. To view additional photos, please see the following link:https://oag.smugmug.com/Sept-Asian-Session-1