A pair of wood figures of Nio (temple guardians)Edo period (1615-1868), 17th century
The wrathful figures carved and assembled in wood and decorated in polychrome pigments over gesso, their robes gathered at the waist revealing their powerful upper bodies, one holding a vajra, each bearing a fierce expression with mouths open or closed, forming the Buddhist incantations Aa and Um, the eyes inlaid crystal
30in (76.2cm) high