Antique Kitchen God and His Wife, China (16850H-BME) SPECIAL PRICE

Description

While most families have had prints or paper-cuts of the Kitchen God (Zao Shen) with or without his wife above their stove, carved images were owned by wealthier families. The Kitchen God is syncretic as a Taoist, Popular Religion and Buddhist tutelary deity, protector of the home who was responsible for making sure there was always food for the family, but he also observed and noted the behavior and morality of the people in household on the hu tablets they held. On Chinese New Year Zao Shen ascends to the heavens (his wife stays home) to report to the Jade Emperor where a favorable report brings blessings, good fortune and continued life, and a poor one brings misfortune or possible death to family members. This remarkable pair created for an affluent household are mirror-images on backless chairs with multi-sided pedestals wearing simplified officials robes and hats. Each of these figures clasp hands at their chests covered in ritual cloth and have an indentation to symbolize holding a hu tablet, This pair is in excellent condition with their red pigment, representing fu, and lacquer remaining. Both figures’ cavity are covered with their original cover (bung) and contain paper consecration script placed there by a monk during an eye-opening-ceremony. Kitchen Gods radiate warmth, especially when placed near the stove and are unique house warming or wedding gifts and add positive chi and enhance feng-shui in any home. Antique carved ones have become extremely rare and are highly collectible.

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