Pair Of Stone Guardian Figures, China, Late Ming Dynasty Or Early Qing Dynasty

A pair of Chinese stone guardians, late Ming Dynasty (1573-1644) or early Qing Dynasty (1644-1735), depicting two standing male figures, conceived as protective statues probably intended for the entrance to a funerary complex, temple, or official building.

The guardians are sculpted in a vigilant and solemn pose, with their bodies slightly turned and their legs apart, suggesting stability and readiness. Their facial expressions are stern and focused, with pronounced eyebrows, prominent eyes, and tightly closed mouths, features that emphasise their apotropaic function, namely protection against evil forces.

They wear richly detailed ceremonial garments, featuring stylised armour on the torso, knotted belts, and deeply carved drapery falling along the legs. The details of their attire, including the folds of the garments and the ornamental elements, reveal robust sculptural workmanship combined with careful attention to the rhythm of the surfaces. The arms, now missing, were originally bent and extended forward, most likely intended to hold symbolic attributes that are now lost.

The figures stand on irregular rocky bases, reinforcing the impression of strength and rootedness, while the patina of age and the erosion of the stone bear witness to the antiquity of the sculptures.

Close visual examination reveals characteristic natural stone erosion, with age-related micro-fissures and a consistent patina. The underside of the base displays typical marks of traditional Chinese stoneworking made with a toothed chisel, ruling out evidence of modern mechanical or industrial processing. However, it should be noted that, in the absence of laboratory evidence (e.g. advanced petrographic analysis), this attribution represents an expert opinion based on visual examination and does not constitute an absolute dating certification.

HxLxD 19,69in x 11,42in x 8,27in

Provenance
Private Collection

Age-consistent losses; loss of the upper limbs on both figures. Stone structure and bases intact.