Antique Chinese Bronze Three Kingdoms God of War Guan Yu On Horse Statue 15"H 戰神關羽

Guan Yu's life was lionized to such an extent that he was deified as early as the Sui dynasty (581–618). Through culminating in generations of narrative, the 14th-century historical novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms made Guan Yu the legendary hero. In 1614, the Wanli Emperor bestowed on Guan Yu the title "Holy Emperor Guan, the Great God Who Subdues Demons in the Three Worlds and Whose Awe Spreads Far and Moves Heaven" 三界伏魔大神威遠震天尊關聖帝君. Guan Yu became East Asia's most popular paradigms of righteousness and dignity, and worshipped as the hero and demon queller Bodhisattva worshipped in Chinese Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism.

Here in this aged bronze Guan Saint 關聖帝君, he is dressed in full armor, with a Green Dragon Crescent Blade tightly gripping in both hands, while riding on the fierce steed Red Hare above a leaning pine rocky mound. The face of Guan Yu is calm and dignified, with a serene essence of a Buddha that exuded a sense of austere majesty. The God of War is also venerated as the God of Literature, the God of Wealth, the patron saint for members on both sides of the law, and a tutelary deity of business in Asian cultures. He is undoubtedly the most popular of Chinese divinities worshipped in every home by Taoist or Buddhist alike, and countless temples were dedicated to him. This heavy bronze Guan Yu is detailed with elaborate hand-carved motifs. The statue has a random deep green patina throughout, with traces of mineral deposits embedded in the interiors. As indicated by the Great Ming Xuande mark (1426 - 1435 AD), the style and character of this bronze appear to be consistent with the period. Though marked by extensive hand-chased details suggested the statue tentatively made in the late 19th to early 20th century late Qing period.