Antique Official Showing His Belt of Office (19047LHE) SPECIAL PRICE

Description

Officials are often portrayed in Chinese woodcarvings in a stable seated position with feet placed and firmly planted on a plinth. This compact Qing portrayal presents a person of importance and control, and it is reinforced here with an intense expression and closed eyes making him a bit detached to fortify his status, rank and position. The high backed hat is characteristic of official dress, as is the high collared outer garment with long sleeves and the skirted undergarment from which boots can been seen peeking out below. The boots are another example of his wealth and authority, and they were worn by officials and others with a good position and status in society.  A proverb of the day was “A man in boots will not speak to a man in shoes.” This carving has a sealed rectangular carved cavity sealed with a flat cover (bung) in the rear containing papers and other items from an eye-opening consecration ceremony. Likely an ancestor figure, after the ceremony it was likely placed on a family home altar and honored with daily offerings to fulfill duties of filial piety along with a variety of other statues. In excellent condition, the alternating colors of black and red covered with lacquer, the simplicity yet precision of the carving and the head being highly smooth, shiny and so well highlighted in gilt make this an especially impressive piece. It is mounted on a modern frosted acrylic stand that works with all design environments.