Antique Taoist Official with Hu Tablet, China (19043)

Description

Taoist images were represented as scholars, sages, heroes, officials and priests. When these statues are taken out of context, they are very difficult to identify so we describe them in generic terms as a Taoist Official, Taoist Priest or Taoist Immortal. Taoist priests and officials were responsible for protecting people against evil spirits in this life while Buddhist monks were responsible for looking after souls in the next life. Taoist images on home altars represented a wish to ward off malevolent spirits and bad luck.

We identify this image an Official since he holds a long, slender and curved hu tablet associated with officials and has symbolic clouds (yun) on his robes. Seated on a modest low backless chair he wears a traditional high hat, a high collared robe adorned with painted cobalt blue cloud designs, and an official’s belt.

It was probably placed on a home altar along with other house gods and figures, and religious images associated with ancestor worship since the open rear cavity contains a small package that was inserted when it was consecrated. Made from a light wood, it is in good condition with a worn surface, faded paint, and some cracks that are obvious signs of constant and long use. Much of the painted decoration and facial features, which may have been added later, remain.with expected and worn surface, faded paint, and some cracks characteristic of antique home shrine carvings. The carved open rear cavity without its wood cover (bung) contains a small package that probably is a consecration script inserted during a consecration ceremony.

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