Statue of Temple Guardian, teakwood, 19^th C

Burmese standing figure dressed in royal attire and holding a conch shell, 52" H, carved of teak with old finish of lacquer, gilding and tiny inset mirrors, now very weathered. This was one of four guardian attendants that were placed facing the four compass directions at a temple or palace. This figure is Seka, the king of the guardian spirits known as nats, who usually stood just outside the main entrance door to a temple or stupa. He has a conch shell to hold water that was used to give blessings to those arriving to visit the temple. The style is Mandalay from Upper Burma, early 19th century.