Demon queller Zhong Kui with demons

China

On view at The Met Fifth Avenue in Gallery 219

The tale of Zhong Kui quelling demons can be traced to the Tang dynasty (618–907) when Emperor Minghuang (r. 712–756) was purportedly cured of an illness after dreaming about a large ghost eating demons. Here, complicated groups of figures are carefully carved into the natural shape of the bamboo. Zhong Kui is shown seated on the back of a recumbent demon, while other demons present him various offerings.

Demon queller Zhong Kui with demons, Bamboo, China

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