Ancestral

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.

Showing 13–17 of 17 results

  • Sale!

    Brick Molded Tile of a Foreigner, China 1516A

    Original price was: $475.00.Current price is: $325.00.
    Ht: 6.875″ W: 5.25” D: 2.25 | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This fascinating thick Song pottery brick is a low-fired depiction of a dwarf foreigner with a rotund belly, a large head and nose, an open mouth and abnormal features. The Chinese believed dwarfs could ward off evil spirits and sickness, attract peace and blessings (fu) and were very wise. Images of dwarfs became so popular, some were produced in numbers.

  • Brick Tile of 2 Wéiqí Board Game Players, China (3346BKE) $495 SPECIAL PRICE $395

    $495.00
    H: 11” W: 9.5” \ D: 2” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    As part of the The Song dynasty cultural expansion, government and public buildings and tombs were built with interior walls decorated with earthenware unglazed mold-made brick tiles. This fanciful vibrant tile with a scalloped frame portrays two people playing a board game called wéiqí which originated in China over 2500 years ago. It is the world’s oldest and most complex board game still played.

  • Brick Tile of Couple Feasting and Figure Pointing to Flying Bat, China (3349BLE) SPECIAL PRICE

    $465.00

    This late Song dynasty earthenware ceramic brick tile portrays a couple sitting behind a banquet table with foods placed in front of them. On the right are two figures, one of whom points to a stylized image of a bat flying in the sky.

  • Han Dynasty Cocoon Jar with Cloud Designs, China (16015UHEM) $2100

    $2,100.00
    H: 11.75” W: 12.25” D: 7.5” | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    Cocoon jars were mingqi made for placement in tombs to comfort the deceased on their journey to and in their afterlife. An elixir of Immortality made from mulberry leaves or their ashes was placed inside for the deceased to drink and transmigrate into the world of the beyond. Ovoid in shape to resemble a silkworm cocoon, ajar rests on a small trumpet-shaped foot and has a narrow neck and a wide lip at its mouth. Painted after firing with vertical bands dividing it into panels, swirling cloud scrolls, and circular “eye” motifs at each end, this beautiful vessel is in excellent condition for its age with expected paint losses, scrapes, and dirt adhesions.

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  • Song Dynasty Tile of a Mythical Winged Pixiu, China (4019LKE) $485

    $485.00

    The Song dynasty (960–1279) is considered the most culturally brilliant era in later imperial Chinese history. A massive expansion during this dynasty produced government, public and religious buildings and tombs with walls decorated with earthenware unglazed mold-made brick tiles. Some were purely decorative and others were wishes for happiness and comfort in the  deceased’s  afterlife…

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