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.
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Although this ancestor is depicted as an official, his atypically benevolent face makes him a very endearing figure. Due to South China’s climate and modernization, it repainted in the 20th century, common in weathered carvings.
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.
This ancestor figure portrayed as a Chinese civilian official honors the family with his sign of high status. He grasps his official’s belt, his red robes symbolize fu for auspicious blessings. Unlike many serious officials he is approachable, with a smiling face.
Ancestor statue emphasizing his status as an official holding up his belt of office with official’s hat and boots, worn only by those who could afford them. Faded inscriptions on the back of the chair. Mounted on Lucite stand.
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.
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 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…
These carvings of the Taoist-Deities Tudi Gong and his wife Tudi Po are from rural Southern China where they were frequently depicted together as house-gods on a home altar or local temple for farmers to pray to for abundant harvests and success in selling their products. Although Tudi Gong is a low ranking deity, he…
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