Hu Tablet

Hu tablets, commonly referred to as audience tablets, (baohu) precious tablet were narrow carved and sometimes curved wood strips held by high Chinese court officials that became a sign of their official status. During the Han dynasty, they were required for formal dress worn as girdle pendants, and during the Tang they were ivory tablets used as a scepter and writing surface for memoranda in formal presentations to higher court officials to take notes of the emperor’s instructions held at chest level as they bowed to him. They continued to be a sign of high rank until the end of the Ming dynasty, but the tradition of symbolically portraying officials with hu tablets persisted through the Qing dynasty. In Taoism they were based on the ones at court but were religious objects held by priests used for ritual audiences with Taoist deities during ceremonies and rituals. On home altars Taoism priest images held them with both hands in front of them often with a cloth over the hands symbolizing they were in the presence of a Taoist deity.

  • Antique Agricultural Deity and Spring Ox, China (16337LKE) $885

    Antique Agricultural Deity and Spring Ox, China (16337LKE) $885

    $885.00

    This extremely rare late Ming/early Qing dynasty antique-Chinese-wood-carving carving is divided in two parts and is significant for its juxtaposition of images as well as its unique iconography. The top is one of the Taoist officials in typical officials-attire: an official’s hat, a tiered robe with a red sash extending to the tops of the…

  • Sale! Antique Carved Kitchen God and His Wife, China (16840)

    Antique Carved Kitchen God and His Wife, China (16840)

    Original price was: $850.00.Current price is: $650.00.
    H: 7.5″ W: 2.875″ D: 2″ | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    VA’s most unique and finely crafted Kitchen God couple. Beautifully carved, clasping hu tablets, approachable features, smiling lips. Painted character on base wish for “happiness.” Add positive chi, enhance feng-shui.Unique house warming/wedding gifts.

  • Sale! Antique Carved Wood Taoist Priest, China (16157)

    Antique Carved Wood Taoist Priest, China (16157)

    Original price was: $350.00.Current price is: $250.00.
    H: 9.25″  W:  4.5″  D: 3.25″  |    FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    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.

  • Sale! Antique Female Taoist Priest with Hu Tablet, China (19154)

    Antique Female Taoist Priest with Hu Tablet, China (19154)

    Original price was: $495.00.Current price is: $325.00.
    H: 12 ”   W:4.3  ”   D: 2.25 ”      |      FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    Charming consecrated image of female Toast priest with Phoenix headdress holding a hu tablet. Women were welcomed as priests since Taoism beginnings.

  • Sale! Antique Home Altar Mazu, China (19013)

    Antique Home Altar Mazu, China (19013)

    Original price was: $425.00.Current price is: $225.00.
    H: 9” W: 6.525” D: 2.5     |     FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    Small consecrated home altar provincial Mazu, finely carved on armless back chair dressed modestly in peasant robes with a phoenix in her hat, she is motherly figure who protects her devotees as her children.

  • Sale! Antique Kitchen God and His Wife, China (16850D)

    Antique Kitchen God and His Wife, China (16850D)

    Original price was: $695.00.Current price is: $525.00.
    H: 7.25 ”    W: 3 ”    D: 1.625 ”    |  FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    Finely carved Kitchen God and his wife, mirror images on backless chairs with multi-sided pedestals reflecting reverent and  responsibility to protect the home. Naturally darkened lacquer, soft patina. Male with consecration covering, female open with contents. Unique house warming/wedding gift.

  • Sale! Antique Kitchen God and his Wife, China (16850E)

    Antique Kitchen God and his Wife, China (16850E)

    Original price was: $695.00.Current price is: $525.00.
    H: 7.75 ”    W: 2.875  ”    D: 1.875 ”    |  FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    Husband and wife Kitchen Gods are near mirror images with similar layered gold officials’ robes, clasped hands covered in ritual cloth. Excellent condition, fine patinas. Consecration script remaining in wife’s cavity but not in husband’s.

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    Antique Kitchen God and His Wife, China (16850H-BME) SPECIAL PRICE

    $785.00
    H: 7.75″  W: 3.25″  D: 2.375″ | free shipping within Continental U.S.!

    Finely detailed and carved from dense wood, this Kitchen God and his Wife monitor the members of the home from their perch above the stove. On Chinese New Year Zao Shen reports to the Jade Emperor in Heaven and a positive report bringsblessings and good fortune, while and unfavorable one brings misfortune. Family members often smear honey on his mouth to sweeten the report.  Near mirror images they wear layered gold officials’ robes with decorative sashes and symbolically hold a hu tablet. They are in excellent condition and add positive chi and enhance feng shui. Kitchen Gods especially pairs are now rare and very collectible and make unique wedding and house gifts.

     

  • Sale! Antique Official in Red Robes with a Hu Tablet, China #16851BOK

    Antique Official in Red Robes with a Hu Tablet, China #16851BOK

    Original price was: $875.00.Current price is: $475.00.
    H:  15.5″    W: 6.125 ” 4.125   D:  ”    |  FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This carved ancestor figure portrayed as an official sits on a backless chair with a decorative pedestal in official’s attire: a high collared red robe, double belt above and below his ample stomach and 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.

  • Sale! Antique Rare Wood Kitchen God and His Wife, China (19028)

    Antique Rare Wood Kitchen God and His Wife, China (19028)

    Original price was: $995.00.Current price is: $695.00.
    H: 10″  W: 7.75″  D:  8.25″    |   FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    Rare single image of Kitchen God and wife, indicating their close/lasting relationship as family’s protectors. Detailed elaborate officials’ robes, headgear.  Individually portrayed holding hu tablets like those held by high court officials or Taoist priests.

  • Antique Taoist Official or Priest with Hu Tablet, China (16095DRK) $245

    Antique Taoist Official or Priest with Hu Tablet, China (16095DRK) $245

    $240.00

    Taoist images were represented as scholars, sages, heroes, deities, officials and priests. When these images are taken out of context they are difficult to identify so we describe them in generic terms. Seated  on a backless chair wearing long flowing officials-robes with deep folds, we use the terms  officials/priests for this image, since he his…

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

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

    $395.00

    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…

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