Kitchen God

Although there are many local community and house gods, the Kitchen God, also known as the Stove God or Hearth God Zao Shen ( 灶神)Tsao Chun, Zao Jun, Zaojun, and Zaowang) has been the most revered and ubiquitous household deity since late Ming and Qing dynasties through current times. Almost every urban or rural family of every status had and often still revers its own Kitchen God image, which is responsible for observing the family’s behavior, protecting its wellbeing, and defending against adversity. On Chinese New Year he ascends the heavens to report the family’s behavior to the Jade Emperor who then determines the family’s fate for the next year. He is often depicted along with his wife wearing elaborate official’s robes and hat and grasping a pointed hu tablet like those held by high officials in the Chinese court as a writing surface to record the emperor’s commands and wishes and Taoist officials held them during spiritual audiences with Taoist deities. This is appropriate as the Kitchen God who reported notes about the families’ behavior to present to the Jade Emperor. Depending on the family’s financial resources, the Kitchen God images are depicted in paintings, drawings, paper cuts, wood plaques, and, less frequently, carved wood statues. Wood lacquer ones may be kept in a shrine made of masonry, wood, bamboo, or, in more modest homes, a shelf or niche dug into the wall forming a simple altar. The area holding the Kitchen God must be large enough to hold offerings which are traditionally prepared by women and presented by men.

  • 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 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 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.

  • Sale! Antique/Vintage Kitchen God and Wife, China(16850)

    Antique/Vintage Kitchen God and Wife, China(16850)

    Original price was: $625.00.Current price is: $425.00.
    H: 8.25″  W: 3.125″  D: 2.25″ | FREE SHIPPING!

    This Kitchen God and his Wife is posed as streamlined virtual mirror-images and fashioned with a general quality relying on paint rather than deep carving for details. They sit on backless chairs on a plinth, with simplified gold officials’ robes with long color sashes, and well-carved black and gilt head gear. The wife’s face is smooth, generalized and the male face has a more deeply carved surface and painted highlights.

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