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I was hoping someone could shed some light of the characters depicted in these statues. No markings are found.

I appreciate any help in advance.















Link :Gallery Link

Appears to be a modern made bone applique. You can tell from the small pieces comprising the outside.

Well, I am certain they are ivory as each individual tile, as well as the larger carved pieces, all display nice schreger lines. I apologize for not including a photo for you to see. I wasn't looking for an opinion on material, as I know what they're made of, I am simply looking for someone to enlighten me on who these character are.

I appreciate the input thus far.

Ivory applique is certainly possible, but it was never a very common technique.

Mongolian possibly?

Having a difficult time drilling down onto who these 2 may be. If anyone could provide the region they feel they originate from, that would be excellent and helpful in my research on them.

Thanks in advance!

Definitely Chinese. I don't think the Mongolians carved in ivory.

Okay, with all the credit going to the Baltimore Museum of Asian Arts, these statues have been identified as 2 of the 4 Heavenly Guardian Kings, protectors of Buddhist faith of the four cardinal directions. More specifically, the gentleman holding the umbrella is the chief of the four kings, and God of Rain and the protector of the north. The gentleman holding the pipa is the God of music and protector of the east.

Below is a link with more info on the four Heavenly Guardian Kings.

URL Title :Four Heavenly Guardian Kings

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