Antique Taoist Priest with Elixir of Life in Cup, China (14018)

Description

Ancestor worship has been practiced throughout China using carved wood figures of deities, monks,  priests and ancestor figures on home altars. In recent years there has been a resurgence of ancestor worship, especially in local Chinese communities practices by Buddhists, Taoists, and Popular Religion followers. Carvings of Taoist priests called daoshi often hold Taoist symbols such as cups with the Elixir of Life that grants eternal life. These carvings are often red, the color of fu to bring into the home  divine favors and the Five Blessings or Happinesses:  longevity, wealth, health, love of virtue, and a peaceful death.

Seated on a backless chair on a raised pedestal this colorful Taoist priest wears characteristic priest’s attire: a black hat, colorful red and black robe clasped at the front with a round ornament from which hangs a sash with gold circles and an undergarment with red and black border designs holding a ritual cup with the elixir of life in his left hand. His facial features are whimsically painted with fluttering eyebrows, and other areas of the robes are highlighted with raised lacquer decorations.

Buddhist monks are believed to enhance one’s karma, while Taoist priests bestow longevity and immortality through their blessings, potions and elixirs. Carved images of Taoists, Buddhists and heroic and Popular Religion figures were often palced together on home altars which family members would regularly propitiate with offerings of food, flowers, incense, candles, and other treasures and also on special holidays and important family occasions.This carving was probably placed on an altar having been blessed in a consecration ceremony. While the bung (covering) is missing, the contents placed there remain.