A large Chinese gilt and lacquered bronze figure of "Kui Xing" 铜鎏金魁星 19th century or earlier 十九世纪或更早 "Kui Xing", the god of examinations with a lively expression on his face, his hair and celestial scarves billowing in the wind. In one hand he holds a brush, and in the other an official hat, his robes elaborately decorated; He stands in his typical pose, with one foot atop a fierce fish-form dragon rising from tumultuous waves. (H: 25 1/2 in.)