The Glaring Bearded Guardian

Viewing notes

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

This standing guardian in plain white is all muscle and glare. His hair is bound high under a cap set with a round medallion, a full beard falls to his chest, and his eyes bulge beneath knotted brows in an expression that brooks no offence. Chest and belly are bared, the muscles cut block by block; scale-like pauldrons cover his shoulders, and long sashes roll down from them, wind around his legs and coil in great curves over the cloud base. One fist grips a sash at his chest while the other hand touches fingertip to fingertip before his belly — fierceness kept under measure. Bare feet tread rolling auspicious clouds, and at his feet two small lions poke their heads from the clouds, mouths open, adding their growl to his. White throughout, the statue stands not by colour but by sinew and presence: a guardian for the side of a shrine, or for an entryway or hall, where it watches over the house in stillness.