This exquisite carving depicts general Guan Yu (d. 220), the epitome of Confucian virtue, loyalty and righteousness. He was deified in the sixth century and widely worshipped in Asia.
Credit: Gift of Mrs. Russell Sage, 1910
18th century
Ivory
12.7cm
10.211.1496
Image and text © Metropolitan Museum of Art, 2019
Where you'll find this
The Metropolitan Museum of Art
Permanent collection