Gilt bronze statue of Guandi, protector of Buddhist temples

This gilt bronze Guandi, also known as Guangong, is a triumph of Ming casting. Seated on a horseshoe-back armchair, Guandi wears a military uniform, which exposes his right shoulder. Such robes were worn by high-ranking generals on formal occasions, particularly in the presence of the emperor. By the Ming dynasty (1368-1644), the cult of Guangong had gained wide-spread popularity. He was the patron deity of the army which the Yongle emperor (reigned 1403-24) led in his expeditions to the north. More than a century later, the Wanli emperor (reigned 1573–1620) conferred the title of Emperor (di) to Guangong, thus elevating his status further.

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