Antique Taoist Official with the Elixir of Life (16312BOK) SPECIAL PRICE

Description

Likely a Taoist official, this carving holds a cup holding an elixir that reputedly would confer to those commissioning the image it a long and healthful life. Discovering elixirs of life that might confer immortality was a motivating belief in Taoism and during Ming and Qing dynasties small images of Taoist officials and priests often held a cup of the elixir and were placed on home altars with ancestor figures, house gods and other religious images to bring blessings (fu) to the household. Commissioning these figures was a way for families to perform their filial piety duty and honor their ancestors, a main Confucianist. In this masterful statue the artist created a beautiful piece with well defined painted and carved facial features like forehead creases and slightly purses lips. After the Ming Dynasty fell in 1644 and was replaced by the Qing, conquering Manchus required Han Chinese government officials to wear a 3-5 button Mandarin coat as formal official’s attire and a pigtail or queue. This one wears a black 3-button coat with a high collar and a black official’s hat. There probably was an inscription on the front base now removed. It is in very good condition with some surface losses on the front and is mounted on a frosted Acrylic base.