The Green Ruyi

Viewing notes

A viewer's written impression — not a buyer review or first-hand record

This polychrome seated figure wears green. His hair is bound with a golden bead, his long beard falls to his chest, and he sits with lowered eyes on a lotus throne, both hands holding before him a vivid green ruyi sceptre with a curling cloud head. His yellow-green robe is wrapped with golden dragons over dense shadow florals, its sash knotted into a golden flower at the knees; behind him a pointed golden aureole, carved all over with twin dragons, clouds and flames, answers the robe in warm against cool. The lotus throne opens in layered petals, pale petals with golden hearts, two small golden lotus buds standing at either side. Composed and kindly, yet full of dignity — a piece for enshrining in a hall or for the principal seat of a living space, stately and unmistakable.