Qianlong|The figures finely cast as Virudhaka and Dhiritarashra, both seated in lalitasana on a rocky base, wearing ornate suits of armor finely incised with interlocking patterns of chain-mail and billowing scarves around the arms, the former with a bearded face and bulging eyes surmounted by a foliate diadem, grasping a snake and a pearl; the latter with the left hand raised in vitarkamudra, the right open and resting on his leg. Each 16.8cm (6 5/8in) high (2).|清乾隆 銅鎏金護法天王坐像 一組兩尊Provenance: Nils Nessim (1916-1974), collection nos.253 and 257Sotheby's Olympia, London, 11 December 2003, lot 528A distinguished European private collection來源： Nils Nessim 先生(1916-1974)收藏，藏品編號253及2572003年12月11日於倫敦蘇富比奧林比亞拍賣，拍品528號顯貴歐洲私人收藏The Guardian Kings, also referred to as the Four Heavenly Kings, represent the first Indian gods incorporated into the Buddhist narrative. The deities came before Shakyamuni Buddha just after he achieved enlightenment under the bodhi tree, offering him bowls made of sapphire or lapis lazuli. They reside on the innermost ring of islands around Mount Sumeru, the centre of the idealised Buddhist and Hindu worlds. Although primarily associated with the idea of Hinayana Buddhism, the Four Kings are also found in Vajrayana Buddhism as guardians of the outer rings of the mandalas. Virudhaka is the Guardian King of the South. He protected Buddha Shakyamuni's mother before the prince was born and continued to assist him during his lifetime. He also protects beings who have led a virtuous life from Yama, the Lord of Death, and wards off any evil forces that would disrupt the Dharma.Dhiritarashra is the Guardian King of the East. According to the Hindu tradition, in a previous life, the guardian and Virudhaka were snake-like deities, nagas. Filled with fear of the legendary birds, garudas, they took refuge in the Dharma and their virtue protected them from harm. Dhiritarashra is typically recognisable by the helmet which would cover his ears from hearing any malignant sound, and a guitar, which he would have held on his lap and play at all times to avoid hearing any malignant sound.A similarly-sized gilt bronze figure of a guardian, 18th century, was sold at Sotheby's New York, 20 September 2007, lot 62.