Antique Taoist Official/Priest with Hu Tablet, China (14001ZSK) $395

Description

When ancestral images are taken out of context they are very difficult to identify so we describe them in generic terms as a Chinese Officials or Taoist Officials. This antique-Chinese-wood-carving may represent the noted historical figure the principal regent Dorgon of the first Qing Emperor Shunzhi who ruled from 1643-1650 as a”quasi” emperor based  on the four-character inscription that reads “Southern Holy Emperor.” He holds a hu-tablet and wears officials-attire that are associated with court officials. Since  most portraits of the emperor are as a beardless young ruler who died at 22 of smallpox and portraits of Dorgon his regent are always of a heavily bearded man, this carving is probably the regent Dorgon. He is presented wearing an impressive and detailed hat and coat which is not the normal attire emperors would wear and his hu-tablet is more characteristic for one standing before an emperor. It was probably placed on a home altar along with other house gods, ancestor-figures, and religious images, part of the ancestor-worship tradition. It was consecrated with its original inconspicuous painted and lacquer covered bung in tact. Although it is a provincial piece, it is very well carved in very good condition for its age and use with finely aged patina, minor paint losses, and a crack in the lower center that does not compromise the piece. 

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