Chinese Figure of Lei Gong, the Duke of Thunder

Wings folded, beak set, mallet in hand, the god of thunder appears ready to begin.

This figure of Lei Gong, the Duke of Thunder, comes from China and is contemporary, carved in boxwood. In Chinese tradition Lei Gong is usually shown with a bird's beak, wings and claws, striking a drum with mallet and chisel to make the thunder. Here he stands on a craggy rock base in armor, his wings spread behind his shoulders and small horns rising from his headdress. He grips a mallet in one hand and a short tool in the other, and long sashes fall to his feet. Even the feathers are carved separately. It is 8.5 inches high.

Boxwood, for a deity who is anything but quiet.