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The Collection: General Guan Gong
Design Description:
Guan Gong was a famous general in the Three Kingdoms period (220–280 CE). In light of his bravery, wisdom, and military prowess—all graphically recorded in the Annals of the Three Kingdoms—later emperors awarded him various posthumous titles, including that of duke (gong). He is also widely seen as a model of Confucian virtues, especially benevolence, justice, courtesy, wisdom, faith, loyalty, righteousness, and courage. His many exploits have been handed down and extolled from generation to generation, culminating in his apotheosis during the Sui dynasty (581–618 CE). In Chinese Buddhist temples he is venerated as the bodhisattva Guan Di, one of the principle protectors of the Dharma. In Daoism he is venerated as the Guan Sheng Emperor. He is also worshipped as the God of War, and as a tutelary deity of wealth and literature. In this large piece cast in burgundy, Guan Gong is depicted as the heroic God of War, mounted on the famous horse Red Hare. Gripping his glistening half-crescent spear, the “green dragon crescent blade,” the majestic Guan Gong is clad in armor and clutches his beard with his left hand. The vivid depth of detail in his facial expression, armor, and mount lend the entire piece a lifelike appearance. The flowing cloak and flying mane imbue the work with a dynamic energy. The base supporting the horse is in a flower-cloud motif. Guan Gong’s gilded spear is made of composite metal and inlaid with zircon, and is held in place by nothing but its own weight. This sculpture is the first image of Guan Gong on horseback produced by LIULI, and gives full expression to the awe-inspiring bearing of this celebrated figure of Chinese culture and history.
關公在華人文化中是一個家喻戶曉的形象，三國時代著名的武將，因為他的驍勇善戰、智勇雙全，他英勇事蹟不止被寫入史册，還被歷代帝王追封，民間更是廣為流傳他的故事。關公義薄雲天的人格完全體現了儒家文化所強調的仁義禮智信、忠信義勇的精神。他的典故被世代傳頌，經歷了由人而王，由王而神，再由神而聖的過程。忠誠、氣節，激揚人間之義，凝聚成一種無堅不摧的力量，是重情重諾的象徵。在佛家，尊稱關帝菩薩，成為佛教中的大護法神；在道家，尊稱關聖帝君；在民間受世人的景仰和愛戴，成為民間的信仰和榜樣，被敬為武聖和財神；有文關公、武關公兩種形象。此作品以武關公威武善戰的英姿來展現，此款作品尺寸也為歷代關公中最大，並結合了金屬關刀的多材質結合的創作品。關公面如重棗，身披戰袍鎧甲，腳蹬皂靴，左手持長髯，右手提青龍偃月刀，胯下赤兔四蹄飛揚，騰於祥雲之上，威風凜凜。關公面部神情的塑造，極具文人寫實風的雕塑表現。鎧甲和赤兔則用寫實手法表現，力求逼真和細節雕琢。關公的臉部神情，左手攬鬍，右手持刀，以及與馬的動態關係，讓整件作品栩栩如生。關公飄逸的披風，赤兔飛揚的馬鬃，使整件作品極富動感和神韻。馬下雲朵的表現，似雲似花，有馬踏步步，步步生輝的吉祥寓意。此尊關公的佩刀，使用複合媒材製作。鑲嵌鋯石的鍍金關刀，襯得整件作品熠熠生輝。關刀也暗藏玄機，僅以力學結構為支點，不借助外力固定。此尊為琉璃工房第一尊騎馬形象的關公，創作這樣一個家喻戶曉的歷史人物，難度不僅僅是“像”，還要體現“浩然正氣”，形神兼備。
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