Chinese Figure of Mu Guiying, Legendary Female General

Flags on her back, one arm raised, and not the slightest interest in retreat.

This figure of Mu Guiying, legendary female general, comes from China and is contemporary, carved in boxwood. Mu Guiying is a celebrated heroine of the Yang family generals stories, set in the Song dynasty, and is a beloved role in Chinese opera, where she is usually shown in armor with pennant flags on her back. Here she stands with her right arm lifted high, wearing an ornate headdress and flowing robes. Banners fan out behind her shoulders, and she rests on a carved rocky base. The wood is a deep reddish brown. It is 4 inches wide and 8.5 high.

Generals rarely look this elegant, and this one clearly planned it.