Officials

Chinese officials were portrayed in paintings and carvings in many forms: as military and civilian officials, Taoist or Popular Religion officials, sages or priests, ancestor figures or legendary or mythical heroes. They were presented as standing or seated authoritarian figures with serious expressions with one or both hands on the knees or one holding up a girdle belt of office. Their colorful and sometimes elaborate robes were often red, symbolizing fu and the “5 Blessings or Happiness” health, wealth, longevity, a virtuous life and a peaceful death.

Showing 1–12 of 14 results

  • Sale!

    Antique Ancestor Figure in Official’s Attire, China #16752

    Original price was: $2,285.00.Current price is: $1,700.00.
    H: 34″  W: 11.25″  D: 7.25″ | CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL [email protected] FOR SHIPPING

    Although this wonderfully carved antique figure portrays an ancestor depicted as an official, his atypically benevolent and finely modeled face makes him a very endearing figure. Old and weathering from age in its rear, this piece was repainted probably in the 20th century, as was periodically done with old figures with losses, especially due to seasonal South China climate. With his individualized convincing features, he is a very relatable rather than authoritarian figure, possibly resulting from the affection of the family that commissioned it. This beautiful and vibrant carving would enhance any setting.

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    Antique Ancestor Official in Ornate Robe with Raised Lacquer Designs #5686BREM

    Original price was: $4,950.00.Current price is: $4,200.00.
    H: 23.5″  W: 15.625″  D: 10″ |CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL [email protected] FOR SHIPPING COST

    This exceptional Qing carving portrays a seated official ancestor wearing traditional official’s attire, a red and black official’s hat and black boots. His inset glass eyes and high cheekbones frame a large curved nose, a strong projecting chin and forehead wrinkles indicating a man of importance with the wisdom of age who demands respect. The top two robe layers have wide borders with marvelous raised lacquer decorations that include beautiful cloud forms, flying phoenixes with spread wings and floral sprays.

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    Antique Carved Standing Ancestor Official, China #18017ESK

    Original price was: $425.00.Current price is: $250.00.
    Ht: 8.25″  W: 3″  D: 2.125″ | FREE SHIPPING IN CONTINENTAL US!

    Dressed in a red robe with a high neck collar, extremely wide sleeves extending below the knees and a belt around his waist, this 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 but has no rank badge indicated.

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    Antique Civilian Official Ancestor Figure, China #16848BEM

    Original price was: $395.00.Current price is: $275.00.
    H: 13.75″ W: 5.25″ D: 4″ | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This ancestor figure, carved in boxwood the preferred wood softwood during the Qing Dynasty, is portrayed in the characteristic pose of a Chinese civilian official, grasping his official’s belt with his right hand to demonstrate his important stature – which was really not so important for this gentleman, given his humble seating furniture and his modest attire. His right hand rests on the his knee as he sits erect on a thick low-back pedestal. Unlike many officials who are serious, this one is more approachable, with simple deeply carved smiling features, high arching brows and a black painted mustache and beard.

  • Antique Mandarin Ancestor Figure, China (16479BLK) SPECIAL PRICE

    $450.00

    Designation as civilian Mandarin officials was so significant that families fervently sought to perpetuate this image through generations in carved and painted ancestral renderings, especially ancestor-figures. This civilian official sits in the traditional official’s pose with arms on short armrests in an an ornately carved high back chair,  curved backrest, tall legs and vertical slats…

  • Antique Mandarin Ancestor In Horseshoe Chair, China (19054BOK) $850

    $850.00
    H: 12.75” W: 6.625” D: 5.75” | FREE SHIPPING within Continental u.s.

    This masterfully carved ancestor as a mandarin official sits on horseshoe chair set on a footed high decorated plinth dressed in a well-appointed formal 3-button Mandarin long coat and pointed rattan hat. His face is uniquely and unusually individualized with heavy lidded eyes, in a benevolent expression and his advanced aged indicated by the wrinkles clearly depicting a loved individual. This exquisitely carved image in excellent condition with a fine patina was true homage to a revered family member and is one of our finest ancestor figures.

  • Sale!

    Antique Mandarin Ancestor on Horseshoe Chair, China #18061BEM

    Original price was: $455.00.Current price is: $295.00.
    H:8.5 ”    W: 4 ”    D: 3.3 ”    |  FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    Portrayed as an official, this ancestor figure sits on a horseshoe chair showing his status wearing compulsory officials attire:  a 5-button Mandarin long coat with a round collar and official headwear – a woven hat whose shape and color reflected his rank. His personalized  personalized oval-shaped is tranquil with a hint of a smile on his pursed lips, and a triangular pigtail down his back.

  • Antique Mandarin Official Ancestor Figure, China (16433JSK) $595

    $595.00

    During the Qing Dynasty, reverence for Mandarin officials and their associated high status with it was so significant that families sought to perpetuate this image through the generations in carved and painted renderings of their ancestors. Ancestor-figures were the highest form of filial piety, and ancestor-worship was a cornerstone of Confucianism. Stuart (p. 82) states…

  • Sale!

    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.

  • Antique Official, Green Robe Holding His Belt of Office, China, 18th Century, (16470BKE) SPECIAL PRICE

    $535.00
    H: 19″ W: 10″ D: 8″ | CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL [email protected] for shipping INFORMATION.

    This wonderfully carved Nanhai Guanyin statue is notable for its highly ornate and beautiful diadem centered by an elaborately framed image of Buddha Amitabha seated in meditation. Her vibrant aura radiates spirituality and opulence, serenity and strength, as well as compassion and grace, making this statue a truly masterful piece of art.

  • Sale!

    Antique Seated Ancestor Official, China #16289BME

    Original price was: $650.00.Current price is: $325.00.
    H: 7.25” W: 4.625” D: 3.5” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This finely carved ancestor wears official’s attire and hat and sits in a horseshoe chair with his feet on a pedestal to emphasize his power and status, although he appears to be a lovwer level civilian official.  It is masterfully carved and lacquered and is painted on front and back in red  with traces of gilt – all propitious colors of “fu” as a wish for wealth, health, good fortune, long life and long life – that has faded over it years of use into a great patina.

  • 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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