In China, high rank (Guì rén 贵人) is a wish for noble status. During the Qing dynasty the highest rank of nobility was the gentry or the literati (scholars) who were Imperial Court Officials a position which could be inherited by their sons who passed the difficult series of Imperial Civil Service Examinations that granting immediate status as an imperial or government official. As a result of the Qing dynasty’s expansion and changing ethnic composition, a re-definition of inherited ranks resulted in 14 ranks and 20 sub-ranks for all court officials and the Manchu family. A lesser gentry status of Civilian Official was attainable by anyone who passed the Imperial Civil Service Examinations. Those of high status in most cultures had the means to purchase more expensive, well-made clothing and other items, many of which were emblems of their wealth, influence and high status.. An example of this in Western culture is the difference between every day utilitarian unndecorated pottery for Roman common folk, where the emphasis would be on a piece’s utility and not its beauty and higher quality ceramics such as ARS (African red slip wares) and even more epensive, higher quality pottery and other status symbols only the rich could afford.
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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.
This delicately carved seated female attendant probably accompanied a religious image on a home altar. She holds an offering plate with three offerings of dumplings or pieces of fruit, possibly a peach trio which is a Chinese longevity symbol. A three-item offering is a also pun for a group of three ancient coins known as tael, a symbol of wealth and a wish for high status.
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.
This well-carved and remarkable ancestor figure is a lower-level Mandarin Civilian official seated on an armless yoke-back chair mounted on a plain rectangular base. He wears a traditional Mandarin jacket, an ankle-length skirt and a black velvet cap for winter or rattan woven hat in summer. His left hand is on his knee while the clenched right rests on the other one in an iconic Mandarin official pose. He is extremely well-carved with facial details showing his advanced age and he exudes an air of authority and status. In contrast to idealized ancestors, he is more individualized reflecting aspects of the actual person portrayed.
This excellently carved civilian official with gilt highlights was commissioned by a family to place on a home altar for veneration and to impress those who viewed it. The imposing ancestor figure grasps his belt of office to show his pride in passing examinations to become a civil official, which leads to a life of rank and prosperity for him and his family. Statues like this are an affirmation of persistence, success, status and power and they honor those who display these characteristics.
Perfect for placement on an enterprising individual’s desk, this 18th century carving of an ancestor figure as an official was meant to honor the effort, achievement and status accorded to high officials during the Qing dynasty. Seated on a backless chair he wears official’s attire and proudly holds up his belt of office emphasizing his status and achievements. Likely placed on a home altar, the carved inscription on the back indicates it was probably consecrated by a monk or Taoist priest.
Earthenware ceramics of all kinds – figures of attendants, musicians and entertainers, miniature furniture, architectural models, animals – included mould made ancestral objects used specifically for burials called mingqi (“bright…
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.
This Han dynasty bronze belt hook is fashioned as a dragon with intense eyes. Dragons were ancient symbols of divine protection, symbolizing good fortune, high rank and power. The underside button-like extension affixes to a belt hole, the hook is positioned horizontally to attach to clothing. Belt hooks were used in life as status symbol and buried with the deceased for the afterlife. In very good condition, it has not been cleaned and has normal pitting and surface losses due to its two millennia-old burial in a humid tomb that has heavily oxidized over the years and, therefore, has beautiful verdigris deposits.
This earthenware brick tile bordered with a deep scalloped frame depicts a vase with a bouquet of propitious flowers: a chrysanthemum and a peony wrapped with an elegant ribbon. Tiles like this were made to decorate the large numbers of buildings created during the prosperous Song dynasty and to adorn tombs. This elegant brick is in good condition for its age with expected chips and cracks, some restoration of background and a re-glued frame break on each side. It has earth adherents from its burial in a tomb.
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