Antique Rare Consecrated Carved Gilt Earth God Tudi Gong, China (16332K)

Description

Tudi Gong is the Chinese Earth or Land God referred to by many names and fondly referred to as “Grandpa.” He is a protective deity revered by followers of Buddhism, Taoism, and Chinese Popular Religion. He is responsible for administrating and protecting the affairs of small towns and villages, especially issues concerning agriculture or wealth and is believed to control the prosperity and fortune of common people. Even today he remains one of the most widely worshipped deities especially in rural China and Taiwan, where he is traditionally enshrined on indoor and outdoor home altars. He can also be seen under the main altar, below house doors, or in temples in both urban and rural areas. Historically, all provincial villages and local communities had their own unique Tudi Gong statue who was believed by them to have lived among and interacted with the community residents he protected.

Finely hand-carved from a single block of wood, Tudi Gong is seated on an elaborate horseshoe-back armchair. This typical Tudi Gong has a kindly face, gentle features, well-defined lips, heavy-lidded half-closed eyes, a benevolent smile, and prominent cheeks covered by a flowing beard. He wears officials attire: a high squared official hat, a three-quarter jacket fastened below his waist with long sleeves, and skirt tied at the waist by a double belt. The provincial hand-painted details, include cloud and floral medallions on a blue background worn in areas to reveal red cinnabar pigment and gold leaf. The bright red robe trim signifies fu which brings good luck and prosperity associated with Tudi Gong. He holds a scholar’s offering cup in his right hand and his left rests on a large gold ingot on his knee symbolizing his role as a dispenser of wealth.  It is in good condition, although much of the pigments have been naturally lost due to age and use. The back was painted and has a carved open cavity indicating it was consecrated.

AI Summary

While Tudi Gong statues are common, a 12-inch, hand-carved provincial wood statue from the 18th to early 19th century that has escaped destruction and modern restoration is rare. Most wooden statues from this era were destroyed during China’s modernization or lost to natural wood rot, termites, and fire. Many surviving statues were stripped to raw wood by dealers to appeal to Western tastes, and  having its original painted robes, gesso layers, and cinnabar pigment makes it a prized collector’s item.

Click here for the Blog Tudi Gong: the Taoist and Popular Religion Earth God and for the Blog Consecrating Wooden Images to Imbue Them with A Life Force