ANONYMOUS GUAN GONG AND ZHOU CANG Late Ming Dynasty ANONYMOUS GUAN... Lot 27

ANONYMOUS GUAN GONG AND ZHOU CANG Late Ming Dynasty ANONYMOUS GUAN GONG AND ZHOU CANG Late Ming Dynasty Ink and colour on silk, hanging scroll Both figures standing firmly and menacingly, dressed in elaborate armoured robes and scarves fluttering, all secured with elaborate belts, one figure holding a blue crescent blade representing Guang Gong, standing next to his underling Zhou Cang, depicted with a black face and fierce expression holding a sword. 154 x 68cm (60 5/8 x 26 3/4in) Footnotes: 晚明 佚名《關公周倉畫像》立軸 設色絹本 Provenance: Formerly in a Swiss Private collection formed in the late 1960s 來源： 瑞士私人舊藏，1960年代蒐集於中國 Guan Gong, the deified form of Guan Yu (died 217 AD), acquired great popularity in the Ming dynasty, when his adventures were captured in novels such as the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, compiled during the Ming dynasty. During the Han dynasty, Guan Yu's support of the Han warlord Liu Bei's quest of continuing the Han state in Shu (present-day Sichuan province) earned him the reputation of an exemplary model of faithfulness and reliance. He was also worshipped as a protector of merchants, and shrines dedicated to him were known as Temples of Literature and Martial Arts. Zhou Cang was Guandi's weapon bearer. This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: * * VAT on imported items at a reduced rate of 5.5% on the hammer price and the prevailing rate on buyer's premium if the item remains in EU. VAT on imported items at a reduced rate of 5.5% on the hammer price and the prevailing rate on buyer's premium if the item remains in EU. For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com