Lot 18
East Asia, China, Qing Dynasty, ca. 18th century CE. A stately wood sculpture of a seated male figure, rendered with dignity and restraint, and likely representing either Wenchang Wang, the Taoist deity of literature, or an ancestral portrait figure of a high-ranking official. His commanding pose and robust form express not only earthly authority but also spiritual presence, reflecting the blurred line in Qing cosmology between divinity and venerated ancestry. He sits squarely upon a block-form base, his broad robes cascading in deep folds, his face serene and rounded, with soft jowls, arched brows, and contemplative eyes cast downward. His tall official's hat retains vestiges of green pigment from its original copper-based lacquer, now oxidized into a mottled patina that whispers of centuries past. Most tellingly, one hand rests upon his belly, gripping the girdle belt of office - a traditional gesture of prestige seen in depictions of both Wenchang Wang and historical court officials. Size: 3.6" L x 5.7" W x 15.8" H (9.1 cm x 14.5 cm x 40.1 cm)
This belt was not merely functional but symbolized intellectual refinement and administrative power, particularly when shown clasped in this deliberate and emblematic pose.
A square recess carved into the figure's back suggests ritual use, likely a chamber once filled with paper prayers, sacred texts, or spiritual effigies meant to empower the sculpture with divine or ancestral force. Traces of red, black, and green pigment linger across the robes and platform, testifying to its once vibrant polychromy.
Whether enshrined in a household altar as the scholarly god Wenchang or honored as an ancestral patriarch immortalized in wood, this figure embodies the reverence for knowledge, hierarchy, and continuity that formed the spiritual backbone of Qing society. Weathered and weighty, it is a vessel of memory and ritual gravitas, still bearing the mark of status and wisdom.
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.
Provenance: private Los Angeles, California, USA collection, acquired from 1990 - 2005
All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back.
A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.
We ship worldwide and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.
SHIPPING EXCEPTIONS: Due to customs clearance issues, we are unable to ship to Germany, Switzerland and Australia. If you live in Germany, Switzerland or Australia, you will need to provide an alternate shipping destination, or we will not be able to complete your purchase. In addition, please note that we are unable to ship ancient items back to the original country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.)
PAYMENT EXCEPTION: Unless a known customer of Artemis, payment for all gold / precious metal / gem lots must be made via Bank Wire Transfer or Certified Bank Check/Money Order, no exceptions.
#193452
- Condition: Repainting to face. Missing bung prayer cavity cover in verso. Stable fissures to wood and chipping to lacquer and bottom of base. Areas of old, inactive insect damage, mosltly to base. Weathering to surface commensurate with age, but otherwise, nice presentation with trace pigments and rich patina.
Accepted Forms of Payment:
American Express, Discover, MasterCard, Visa
Shipping
Auction House will ship, at Buyer's expense
Artemis Fine Arts
You agree to pay a buyer's premium of 25% and any applicable taxes and shipping.
View full terms and conditions
| 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 |