Antique Official Showing His Belt of Office (19047)

Description

Officials are often portrayed in Chinese woodcarvings in a stable seated position with feet placed and firmly planted on a plinth. This excellently carved ancestor figure portrayed as a civilian official with gilt highlights was commissioned by a family to place on a home altar for veneration and to impress those who viewed it. The imposing figure grasps his belt of office to show his pride in passing examinations to become a civil official, which leads to a life of rank and prosperity for him and his family. Statues like this are an affirmation of persistence, success, status and power and they honor those who display these characteristics. His importance and control are reinforced  with an intense expression and slightly 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.” Statues like this are an affirmation of persistence, success, status and power and they honor those who display these characteristics.

This carving has a rectangular sealed cavity in the rear containing papers and other items from an eye-opening consecration ceremony. After the ceremony it was  placed on a family home altar along with other religious and secular figures and honored with daily offerings to fulfill the family’s duties of filial piety. In excellent condition, the alternating colors of black and red – the color of fu for blessings and good wishes – covered with lacquer, the simplicity yet precision of the carving and the head being  highlighted in gilt make this an especially impressive piece. It is mounted on a frosted acrylic stand that works with all design environments.