Deified Mandarin Official Holding His Sleeve (19011)

Description

Seated figures with hands hidden inside wide sleeves reflect the concept of “Ritual Propriety” indicating the ancestor was a high-ranking scholar-official with intellectual or administrative accomplishments or a person of leisure who did not need to work or perform manual labor. These types of figures were among “altar gods” who often assumed deity-like roles to protect and bless the family line. This posture is reflected in ancestral, Buddhist, and Taoist art and indicate the image is in an active state of receiving or addressing their descendants’ concerns. The role of this deified official or highly successful ancestor esteemed for his worldly achievements was to oversee earthly affairs and protect the descendants and other statues on the home altar. His posture, facial features, and attire indicate he was a mid-to-high ranking Mandarin Official.

His beautifully carved face reflects his advanced age and high status. Almond-shaped eyes framed by carved arched eyebrows and thin lips with red pigment form a gentle, benevolent smile as if embracing all around him. The serene, smiling expression and downcast eyes incorporate Buddhist and Taoist artistic traditions and instill a feeling of spirituality and other worldliness. He wears the lavish attire of high-ranking Qing officials. His formal, layered robes in deep red and black are decorated with golden floral or cloud motifs on a high-collared, wide-sleeved garment, all signifying high status and esteem. Floral motifs were commonly used for Taoist or scholar-official deities symbolizing divinity and immortality. The flat-topped flared cap is a variant of a scholar–official’s hat, a primary symbol of imperial rank, authority, moral integrity, and seniority in the imperial hierarchy. Worn only by those above the scholar rank, it symbolized loyalty and unquestioning service to the emperor as well as Confucian principles of balance and social structure.

The statues back had a large grip for transport which has deteriorated. While the bottom back section is in poor shape, the front is in very good condition. Closed consecration cavity with contents inside.