Sale
2193
japanese & korean art
17 September 2009
New York, Rockefeller Plaza
A Carved Wood Face of a Deva King (Tenbu)
Heian period (12th century)
Of cypress wood with extensive wood grain, hollow and with traces of black lacquer
15 3/8in. (39cm.)
The Tenbu (Deva in Sanskrit) are the four guardians of Buddhist Law. They are placed at the four cardinal directions in temple halls or on platforms supporting Buddhist images.