Lot 15A
16th C. Chinese Ming Gilt & Lacquer Wood Taoist Figure
16th C. Chinese Ming Gilt & Lacquer Wood Taoist Figure
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East Asia, China, late Ming Dynasty, ca. 16th to 17th century CE. An impressive and sizable lacquer-and-gilt wood figure of a standing Daoist immortal rises from the artistic traditions of early-modern China, attesting to the enduring power of Daoist devotion at court and in village temples alike. His form - rendered in deep red lacquer burnished by the patina of centuries - is swathed in flowing ritual robes, their movement suggested by soft, cascading folds. Twin sashes descend at either side, their surfaces enlivened with dotted floral patterns, while auspicious emblems are picked out in raised, radiant gold leaf, lending tactile weight to symbols of harmony, longevity, and celestial blessing. Size: 12.5" L x 16.5" W x 33.3" H (31.8 cm x 41.9 cm x 84.6 cm)
The immortal's face, composed in tranquil introspection, bears a faint, knowing smile; his downcast eyes convey the serenity of one who has aligned himself with the Dao. One hand is lifted in a classical benedictory gesture - dispelling misfortune and bestowing qi - while the other rests gracefully, its calm poise suggesting the offer of guidance or perhaps the unseen scroll of sacred teaching. On the verso, a consecrated prayer niche remains sealed, evidence of the ceremony in which the statue was awakened to spirit, transforming wood and lacquer into an active vessel of divine presence for temple rites and household worship.
During the Ming, Daoism flourished alongside Buddhism, and images of the Immortals or revered patriarchs were commissioned by patrons seeking protection, health, and balance with the cosmic order. The lustrous lacquer, opulent gilding, and carefully chosen iconography of this figure reflect that high esteem: dotted blossoms allude to the fleeting transformations of nature, while the gilded motifs invoke the Eight Trigrams, auspicious clouds, and the promise of long life. Standing tall and resonant with quiet authority, this Daoist immortal bridges centuries of reverence, embodying the timeless quest for harmony between heaven, earth, and the human heart.
Historically, carved figural statues held profound cultural and religious significance in China, serving not merely as decoration but as vital conduits for spiritual inspiration, solace, and ancestral veneration. These sacred objects populated homes, clan halls, temples, and public spaces, where altars and shrines honored familial ancestors and a pantheon of deities. The size and opulence of these dedicated spaces reflected a family's standing, with even modest homes featuring altars for expressing Confucian piety through ancestor worship. Wealthier families often dedicated entire rooms to elaborate shrines, housing images and ancestor tablets - inscribed placards acting as spiritual seats for the deceased, sometimes even found in temple halls where monks offered prayers for their well-being in the afterlife.
Central to imbuing these carvings with spiritual potency was the "eye opening ceremony," a consecration ritual performed by a senior priest or monk. This process, involving practices like dotting the eyes with cinnabar, pricking them, or anointing them with liquids, was believed to awaken the statue's senses, enabling it to perceive and respond to devotees' prayers. Before this ritual, a cavity carved into the statue's back was filled with sacred documents, a dated paper script honoring the donors and commemorating the event, prayers, and symbolic items representing inner organs, then sealed. The completed, veiled statue was then solemnly carried to the temple for the complex consecration, a communal event believed to imbue the inert carving with life force (chi or qi) and invite the deity's spirit to reside within. This animated state was believed to persist as long as the cavity remained sealed, making intact statues with their original contents exceptionally rare and deserving of continued reverence.
Provenance: private Los Angeles, California, USA collection, acquired from 1990 - 2005
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#192910
- Condition: Some fingers have been repaired and restored with tip of little finger on proper right hand missing. Repainting to some areas, and some chipping to paint and lacquer as shown, as well as some abrasions commensurate with age. Otherwise, very nice presentation with good remaining pigments and gilding. Prayer cavity in verso still intact. Light patina throughout.
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| From: | To: | Increments: |
|---|---|---|
| $0 | $299 | $25 |
| $300 | $999 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $1,999 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $4,999 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $9,999 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $19,999 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $49,999 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $99,999 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $199,999 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 + | $20,000 |