Antique/Vintage Kitchen God and His Wife, China (16850BME) $625

Description

While most families have had prints or paper-cuts of the Kitchen-God with or without his wife above their stove, carved wood images with a lacquer coating tended to be owned by wealthier families. The Kitchen God is syncretic as a Taoist, Popular Religion and Buddhist tutelary deity who protects the home and its inhabitants, observes the family’s behavior and morality, and on Chinese New Year ascends to the heavens to report on them to the Jade Emperor. With a favorable report, the Jade Emperor’s blessings bring good fortune and continued life, while a poor report results in misfortune to family members.  He and his wife have distinct poses, dress, attributes and red coloring that symbolize bringing and fu into the home. Each of this pair of house-gods has an indentation to hold a hu-tablet. Kitchen God carvings are a wonderful addition to any home, and make unique and wonderful house warming and wedding gifts.as they radiate warmth and are in their element as protectors when placed in the central part of the house above or near the kitchen stove. In recent years there has been an interest in old Kitchen Gods, but they are difficult to find, especially a matched pair. These are in very good condition with most original red, black, gold, and lacquer extant with expected paint losses and were repainted, a common tradition in Taoist and Buddhist images. The base has minor chips and paint and lacquer losses showing the deep red color originally used which has  darkened the over time.  Both have closed cavities and their original bung indicating they were consecrated. They are part of the VA Collection of Deities-and-Legends.

Click here for the Blog Consecrating Wooden Images to Imbue Them with A Life Force.