The Celestial Generals from the Museum of Oriental Art - Ca' Pesaro in Venice

Sculpture - Painted and gilded wood, ceramic, metal (52.3 x 24 x 19cm) 17th-19th century

The Celestial Generals of the Museum of Oriental Art Ca' Pesaro in Venice

The Celestial Generals The Twelve Celestial Generals are Buddhist statues carved between 1185 and 1333 during the Kamakura period.

These twelve Celestial Generals protected the Buddha from the medicine : the Buddha Sutra.

They were associated with the twelve signs of the zodiac and each represented one month of the year.

Originally from China, the celestial generals were introduced to Japan during the Kamakura period.

As guardians of the Buddha, they are obviously represented in the belligerent attitudes of menacing warriors with inquiring eyes.

The two statues on display at Venice's Museum of Oriental Art are reproductions made between the 17th and 19th centuries, their eyes are made of ceramic, which amplifies their fearsome appearance.

The Celestial Generals