Period:Ming dynasty Production date:1488-1644 (circa)
Materials:porcelain
Technique:glazed, moulded, biscuit-fired,
Subjects:daoism deity
Dimensions:Height: 123.30 centimetres Width: 78 centimetres Depth: 55 centimetres
Description:
Figure of a Daoist deity decorated in polychrome enamels and with biscuit-fired areas. This large-scale ceramic sculpture is in the form of a Daoist deity sitting cross-legged within a three-legged throne. In his right hand he holds a black pearl and his left hand is raised in benediction. He is depicted as an old man with a long beard, elongated earlobes and a serene and pleasant expression. His hair is scraped on to the top of his head in a bun and is secured by a crown with a central hole, possibly missing its jewel, crystal or glass bead. He wears a brown cross-over robe edged with a turquoise band and an outer turquoise robe with a band of flower scroll in relief bordering the edges of the robe and sleeves. Medallions showing three peaked mountains of the immortals among waves adorn the robe over the knees and at the shoulders are further medallions fired in the biscuit, supported by ‘ruyi’ clouds. The front leg of the throne is topped with a monster mask with a protruding pitted tongue. Exposed areas of flesh are fired in the biscuit to lend a greater naturalism to the figure. Much of the plinth and throne is restored and repainted.
IMG
![图片[1]-figure BM-1930-0719.62-China Archive](https://chinaarchive.net/Ming dynasty/Ceramics/mid_01535318_001.jpg)
![图片[2]-figure BM-1930-0719.62-China Archive](https://chinaarchive.net/Ming dynasty/Ceramics/mid_00254381_001.jpg)
Comments:Harrison-Hall 2001:The figure may be a representation of 元 始 天 尊 ‘Yuan Shi Tian Zun’ [The Primal Celestial Excellency], a Daoist deity and one of the 三 清 ‘san qing’ [Three Pure Ones], the other two being 道 德 天 尊 ‘Dao De Tian Zun’ and ‘Ling Bao Tian Zun’. This deity is also known as ‘Tai Gong Lao Zu’ [literally, The Highest Artisan Old Grandfather]. He generally holds a disc with a yin-yang symbol but has a similar long beard, sits inside this type of throne and has a similar top knot. He may also be depicted holding a fan or a tally. Daoism is an indigenous Chinese religion, based on philosophical principles that were influenced by Western Buddhism, when this was introduced in the eastern Han, but remains essentially deep-rooted in Chinese folk tradition.
Materials:porcelain
Technique:glazed, moulded, biscuit-fired,
Subjects:daoism deity
Dimensions:Height: 123.30 centimetres Width: 78 centimetres Depth: 55 centimetres
Description:
Figure of a Daoist deity decorated in polychrome enamels and with biscuit-fired areas. This large-scale ceramic sculpture is in the form of a Daoist deity sitting cross-legged within a three-legged throne. In his right hand he holds a black pearl and his left hand is raised in benediction. He is depicted as an old man with a long beard, elongated earlobes and a serene and pleasant expression. His hair is scraped on to the top of his head in a bun and is secured by a crown with a central hole, possibly missing its jewel, crystal or glass bead. He wears a brown cross-over robe edged with a turquoise band and an outer turquoise robe with a band of flower scroll in relief bordering the edges of the robe and sleeves. Medallions showing three peaked mountains of the immortals among waves adorn the robe over the knees and at the shoulders are further medallions fired in the biscuit, supported by ‘ruyi’ clouds. The front leg of the throne is topped with a monster mask with a protruding pitted tongue. Exposed areas of flesh are fired in the biscuit to lend a greater naturalism to the figure. Much of the plinth and throne is restored and repainted.
IMG
Comments:Harrison-Hall 2001:The figure may be a representation of 元 始 天 尊 ‘Yuan Shi Tian Zun’ [The Primal Celestial Excellency], a Daoist deity and one of the 三 清 ‘san qing’ [Three Pure Ones], the other two being 道 德 天 尊 ‘Dao De Tian Zun’ and ‘Ling Bao Tian Zun’. This deity is also known as ‘Tai Gong Lao Zu’ [literally, The Highest Artisan Old Grandfather]. He generally holds a disc with a yin-yang symbol but has a similar long beard, sits inside this type of throne and has a similar top knot. He may also be depicted holding a fan or a tally. Daoism is an indigenous Chinese religion, based on philosophical principles that were influenced by Western Buddhism, when this was introduced in the eastern Han, but remains essentially deep-rooted in Chinese folk tradition.
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![[Qing Dynasty] British female painter—Elizabeth Keith, using woodblock prints to record China from the late Qing Dynasty to the early Republic of China—1915-China Archive](https://chinaarchive.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/image-191x300.png)
