Ancestral means “pertaining to ancestors; descending or claimed from ancestors”. In cultural terms it refers to objects and traditions relating to honoring and worshiping ancestors and their spirits through ceremonies or rituals, revering ancestor images, presenting offerings to please the deceased and attract their favor and protection and placing items in their burial site to please the departed and provide comfort in their afterlife. In China ancestor carvings or ancestral tablets – also known as spirit or memorial tablets – representing the spirit of the deceased or the seat of a deity were placed on home shrines or altars along with Buddhist, Taoist or Popular Religion images.
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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.
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.
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.
Extremely ornate black lacquer cabinet with intricately carved doors, and gilded openwork panels with opening to red lacquer, gilt fringe interior with backdrop with Chinese scenes. Display of status and piety, designed as dignified display for honoring ancestral spirits.
Intricately carved black and heavily gilt cabinet is a fine example of a Straits Chinese furniture Carved openwork panels with phoenixes and lotuses are symbolic wishes for harmony, blessings, rank, good fortune; outstretched wings wish for harmonious marriage, many sons and the inside decoration a wish for status and successful career. Although somewhat flamboyant, it is a unique accent piece and great gift for newly weds.
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.
Horseshoe chairs were considered a sign of rank used by officials and often ancestral figures were portrayed sitting in them to reflect their high status. This well-modeled green glaze ceramic mingqi of a horseshoe chair is decorated with a yellow glaze imitating caning and the decorative carved circular design on the splat. It pairs well with item Ming Earthenware Horseshoe Chair 3331. This would be a fine addition to a collection of antique ceramics or simply a beautiful decorative piece to brighten a small space.
Ht: 14.75” W: 7.75” D: 4” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.
Taoist priest in formal attire holding a cup with the elixir of health and longevity and small ingot symbolizing wish for prosperity and wealth. Characters on base are his name and the mythical “turtle spirit” that symbolizes longevity,
Hu vessels, first made in the Shang Dynasty is an ancient-pottery wine vessel whose body swells in the middle, flares into a narrow neck and often has a raised circular foot. Very popular during the Han dynasty, it was used as an ancestral tomb burial object (mingqi) to hold liquids and elixirs for the deceased…
This ancient figurine is Harpocrates the Greek god of silence and secrets holding a jar made for a home shrine. He probably represents a royal and temple cult, as he wears a double crown symbolizing both Upper and Lower Egypt and his royal emblem signifies his association with the reigning Egyptian king, who was considered a manifestation of the Egyptian god Horus. Missing part of his right side when excavated, and no with no repairs this is a true slice of history. It pairs well with #1845 Ancient Pottery Figurine of Child Nurturer Goddess.
This Roman Egyptian figurine from Alexandria of a woman holding a young child is a Kourotrophos, a class goddess figures holding infants or children. Referred to as “child nurturers”, these were revered deities, cult figures and mortals who were also fertility symbols and protectors of the young. Made from a bivalve mold, this terracotta figurine was probably placed on a home altar for protection. Mother and child figures like this are universal and appear in cultures throughout the world. It pairs well with #1844 Ancient Harpocrates Figurine.
Red lacquered Ancestral Memorial Tablet with raised gold-gilded characters signifying the ancestor’s prosperity and high status These tablets are considered the home in which the ancestor’s spirit reside. The characters identify the ancestor, his two wives, and designates the tablet as a location where spirits are invited to reside and receive offerings from their descendants. Topped with a scalloped oval panel with the Three Stars Gods Fu, Lu and Shou on celestial clouds.
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