[China] Seated figure of Guandi

Carved wooden Taoist sculpture w. traces of polychromy and gilding, height 21.5 cm. China, first half 19th cent. Worm damage at the base. Emperor Guan Yu, God of literature and patron saint of traders, depicted seated on a throne and holding a book in his right hand. The two holes in the back were designed to allow the statue to be held between thumb and index finger while praying. An inlaid panel on the reverse is believed to conceal a letter of recommendation intended for the gods .