CHINE, DYNASTIE QING, ÉPOQUE QIANLONG (1736-1795)

The present group of two imposing gilt-bronze figures were likely made in one of the hundreds of imperially-sponsored Buddhist centers around the Qing capital of Beijing. Thousands upon thousands of images were created to fill the many Tibetan-style Buddhist temples that were constructed throughout the reign of the Qianlong Emperor (1736-1795). The present two heavily cast works would likely have been part of a much larger set. The image of Jambhala is distinguished by the mongoose resting in his left arm. Both figures display powerful expressions in the facial features, demonstrating the success of the gilt-bronze technique in capturing naturalism.