Antique Kitchen God and His Wife (16850D-BME) $695

$695.00

H: 7.25″  W: 3″  D: 1.625″ | FREE SHIPPING!

This pair of the Kitchen God and his wife are mirror-images on backless chairs with multi-sided pedestals wearing simplified officials robes. Both are finely carved, clasp hands at their chests covered in ritual cloth to symbolize holding a hu tablet, and reflect reverence and solemnity for deities who hold the future of multiple generations in their hands. Their bright colors have faded naturally into a smooth warm patina which adds comfort and positive feng sui to any kitchen decor.

Description

In the past most Chinese families had some form of the Kitchen-God ((Zao Shen) with but mostly without his wife, placed above their stove to protect their home and monitor the family’s behavior and morality. This tutelary deity who is among the several house gods is tasked with observing the family  and on Chinese New Year ascends to the heavens (the wife stays home in the kitchen) to make a critical report to the Jade Emperor: a favorable report brings blessings, good fortune and continued life to family members, and a poor one brings misfortune or possible death. While most families have had prints or paper-cuts of the Kitchen God, an antique-Chinese-wood-carving  like this were owned by wealthier families.  Both figures clasp hands at their chests covered in ritual cloth to symbolize holding a hu tablet as seen by its indentation and wore official robes and hats to indicate their status. This fine pair are mirror-images of each other seated on backless chairs with multi-sided pedestals and reflect the reverence and solemnity of their responsibility. They  were covered in red (the color of fu), and lacquer which has darkened naturally over time and from exposure to candle and incense smoke. The cavity on male figure has its original covering bung, while the bung on the female is missing, exposing contents inside – a thin string tied around the script placed by a monk when it was consecrated during an eye-opening ceremony. This pair is part of the VA Deities-and-Legends. Kitchen Gods radiate warmth, especially when placed near the  stove. This folk-art pair makes unique house warming or wedding gifts and add positive chi to any household.

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Additional information

Dimensions 12 × 9 × 6 in
Place of Origin

China

Date

19th Century

Materials and Technique

Wood

Dimensions (inches)

Ht: 7.25” W: 3.” D: 1.6255”

Dimensions (metric)

Ht: 7.25” W: 3.” D: 1.6255”

Weight

9.7oz

Condition

Excellent, fine patina demonstrating age and use

Reference Number

16850B-BME

Shipping Box Size