The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines ancestor worship as the “veneration of deceased ancestors who are considered still a part of the family and whose spirits are believed to have the power to intervene in the affairs of the living.” Based on love and respect for the deceased, it is the belief that showing respect and loyalty to the deceased is a reciprocal agreement: the living engage in ceremonial rites and make offerings that provide the deceased happiness and well-being in the afterlife in exchange for the departed protecting and looking after the welfare of the family. Although not required, having some type of physical memorial is often an important ancestor worship component that can be displayed in variety of forms: altars, shrines, plaques or tablets, sculptures, masks, gravestones, tombs, monuments, buildings and other designated places. While ancestor worship is often associated with the Confucian concept of filial piety, it is practiced in much of the world, in many religious traditions and among most socioeconomic groups. In China the concept of ancestor worship as a demonstration of piety originally espoused by Confucius is an essential belief and everyday practice among all major Chinese religious – Buddhism, Taoism and other folk religions. The Chinese family unit traditionally consisted of the deceased as well as the living and worshiping one’s ancestors has been a means of strengthening the family and Chinese society. As the “residence of ancestral spirits”, the family altar/shrine 祠堂, with ancestor carvings and tablets is the commemorative site for daily prayers, rituals and offerings. In contemporary settings ancestor worship can be viewed as a connection with our past, and perhaps reaping the benefits our forefathers provided us.
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This diminutive mingqi pig is totally charming and fanciful with an iridescent glaze and would be especially appealing as a send off for the deceased to the nether world or in a contemporary setting. Pigs were especially prized and images were often included as items the deceased would need to live comfortably in the after life.
This very finely carved figure of an ancestor was commissioned by a family of either high status or wealth, having been fashioned from a single piece of an exquisite and rare hardwood with a lustrous patina.
Either a Taoist house deity/dignitary or an ancestor figure, this colorful provincial carving has painted calligraphy identifying his name. The image has characteristics of Guandi, the God of War holding a tael or a military seal with military maille.
Ancestor figure portrayed as a civilian official standing on a rectangular base with hands together wearing a long civil official’s robe that extends to his shoes on Lucite.
Taoist official home altar carving painted on front and back with red, gilt and lacquer. Hands under ritual cloth symbolically holding a hu tablet associated with Taoist officials. Taoist were responsible for protecting against evil in this life, Buddhist for souls in next life.
The finely carved ancestor figure in traditional Qing dynasty high neck Mandarin official’s long jacket with front buttons and official rattan woven headwear. The chair’s back slat was omitted as consecration cavity.
Masterfully carved ancestor mandarin official on horseshoe chair in the round with cabriole legs, finely dressed in long Mandarin coat and rattan hat. Benevolent face was homage to a revered family member. It is one of our favorite ancestor figures.
Carved ancestor figure as an official sits on a backless chair with a decorative pedestal in official’s attire holding a long slender curved hu-tablet, all signs of his office and status. He is vibrantly painted in red, the color of fu, as a wish for prosperity and status.
Mandarin ancestor official in court attire and hat holding up his belt of office. Rare consecration inscriptions on the back indicate the names of two families who pooled funds to commission, carve, and dedicate a sacred figure to their shared local temple or ancestral altar.
Masterfully crafted Taoist official with calm, sincere and expressive face with creases indicating his age and wisdom of his senior status. Holds ritual cup with the elixir of immortality, a wish for a long and happy afterlife. Mounted on an acrylic stand.
With his thumb grasping his flowing decorative sleeve, this ancestor was a mid-to-high ranking wealthy and spiritually powerful.Mandarin Official. The serene, smiling expression and downcast eyes incorporate Buddhist and Taoist traditions to instill feelings of spirituality and other worldliness. The cavity with original cover and contents is extremely rare and indicates it was consecrated in a blessing ceremony.
This ancestor figure official sits on a horseshoe chair showing his status wearing official’s attire: 5-button Mandarin long coat with a round collar and woven hat. Has a personalized tranquil face with a hint of a smile.
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