Lot 16
18th C. Chinese Lacquered Wood Wenchang w/ Glass Eyes
18th C. Chinese Lacquered Wood Wenchang w/ Glass Eyes
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East Asia, China, Qing Dynasty, ca. 18th century CE. From the embrace of the 18th century, a silent poem in wood emerges, a Chinese sculpture enshrining the Taoist deity Wenchang. Once vibrant with gilt, time has softened its sheen, yet liberal remains of red, black, white, and beige pigments still adorn the surface, whispering tales of its original splendor. His gaze, captured by the delicate shimmer of inset glass eyes, seems to hold centuries of wisdom, a gentle acknowledgment of earthly endeavors. Clothed in the flowing robes of a scholar-official, Wenchang sits with serene poise, his right hand resting upon the center of his belt an iconic gesture signifying his role as the dispenser of literary fortune and academic success. Revered as the God of Culture and Literature, Wenchang, often linked to the constellation near the Big Dipper, was beseeched by those seeking brilliance in their studies and advancement in the imperial examinations, his image a beacon of hope for aspiring minds across the ages. Size: 5.1" L x 11.1" W x 20.6" H (13 cm x 28.2 cm x 52.3 cm); 22.1" H (56.1 cm) on included custom stand.
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, 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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#192786
- Condition: Expected age wear with nicks, abrasions, and chipping and fissures to paint in areas. Some stable fissures to wood. Otherwise, intact and excellent with rich patina throughout.
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