In Chinese mythology the Dragon King is an important divinity. Considered as the master of the oceans, he has the capacity to influence climate, to call upon the clouds and rain and to regulate seas and rivers. In the book of Divines Incantations from Abyssal Grottoes (太上洞淵神呪經 Taishang Dongyuan Shenzhou Jing), we found the mention of four dragon kings, the ‘the dragon kings of the four oceans’(四海龍王 Sihai Longwang).
This sculpture is the dragon king of the Northern sea: Aoshun (敖順), which is identified by its dark color. Often represented with a dragon head, it can have a human appearance.
Dragon kings have been consecrated in numerous temples, and sometimes been the object of an imperial cult. During the reign of emperor Xuan under the Tang dynasty, a temple was edified at Longchi in honor of these divinities. This cult has persisted and spread until the Qing dynasty. In the Chinese tradition, local dragon kings were venerated and attached to each streams and rivers.
This representation of dragon king is characteristic of the art under the Song dynasty. Seated in a frontal attitude, the divinity is dressed in an ample robe tightened by a belt decorated by metal plaques. He wears a flapped head dress falling over his neck. His shoulders are covered by a thick shawl. His hands are laying flat on his upper thighs in a determined attitude. The face is lacquered in black, the carving and stylization of the features give a strong impression of strength and dignity to the sculpture.
The carving technique, which is made in one wood block, indicates that the work has been produced at the end of the Five dynasties or early Song dynasty. Eyes with glass inlay only appear under the Song dynasty, and as the Carbon 14 confirms it, the sculpture can be dated from the beginning of the Northern Song era. At the back of the sculpture, infra-red photographies show incomplete inscriptions indicating that the piece has been relacquered during the 40th year of the Qianlong reign (1775), and give a list of the sponsors that have participated in the restauration.

Reference:
1. A group of four dragon-kings sculptures dating from the Ming dynasty are conserved at the Geart temple of Mazu in Tainan (Taiwan).

Provenance : Private French Collection.