Period:Qing dynasty Production date:1700-1800
Materials:paper
Technique:woodblock, colour,
Subjects:deity devil/demon arms/armour
Dimensions:Height: 29.40 centimetres (Royal mount) Width: 21.20 centimetres
Description:
Woodblock print in ink and colour with hand-colouring on paper. Zhong Kui with a demon who carries a platter of jewels, branches of coral and elephant tusks.
IMG
![图片[1]-print BM-1964-0411-0.12-China Archive](https://chinaarchive.net/Qin dynasty/43/mid_00098219_001.jpg)
![图片[2]-print BM-1964-0411-0.12-China Archive](https://chinaarchive.net/Qin dynasty/43/mid_00693822_001.jpg)
![图片[3]-print BM-1964-0411-0.12-China Archive](https://chinaarchive.net/Qin dynasty/43/mid_00936592_001.jpg)
Comments:Legends about Zhong Kui place the origin of his story in the 8th century AD, when he appeared in an emperor’s dream to kill a demon harassing the ruler (the legends themselves post date the 8th century). Further anecdotes added to Zhong Kui’s reputation. Here he has a full beard and bulging eyes. The bud-shaped hat ties bobbing at each side of his head are supposedly demon-detecting devices that point to unforeseen dangers. In popular prints Zhong Kui is usually depicted performing an exorcist’s dance. In this print he has subdued a demon to carry a platter of gleaming jewels, branches of coral and elephant tusks, all symbols of wealth. Images of Zhong Kui were believed especially important to ward off evil at both the Chinese New Year and were also deemed helpful in dispelling evil at the time of Double Five, the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, marking the beginning of hot summer weather, when a multitude of diseases and misfortunes might occur. This print includes the image of a branch of blossoming plum appearing from behind Zhong Kui’s back and since the tree blossoms around the time of the lunar New Year, this print was likely made for display at that time of year. It was a popular New Year custom to display images of Zhong Kui to protect a household.
Materials:paper
Technique:woodblock, colour,
Subjects:deity devil/demon arms/armour
Dimensions:Height: 29.40 centimetres (Royal mount) Width: 21.20 centimetres
Description:
Woodblock print in ink and colour with hand-colouring on paper. Zhong Kui with a demon who carries a platter of jewels, branches of coral and elephant tusks.
IMG
Comments:Legends about Zhong Kui place the origin of his story in the 8th century AD, when he appeared in an emperor’s dream to kill a demon harassing the ruler (the legends themselves post date the 8th century). Further anecdotes added to Zhong Kui’s reputation. Here he has a full beard and bulging eyes. The bud-shaped hat ties bobbing at each side of his head are supposedly demon-detecting devices that point to unforeseen dangers. In popular prints Zhong Kui is usually depicted performing an exorcist’s dance. In this print he has subdued a demon to carry a platter of gleaming jewels, branches of coral and elephant tusks, all symbols of wealth. Images of Zhong Kui were believed especially important to ward off evil at both the Chinese New Year and were also deemed helpful in dispelling evil at the time of Double Five, the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, marking the beginning of hot summer weather, when a multitude of diseases and misfortunes might occur. This print includes the image of a branch of blossoming plum appearing from behind Zhong Kui’s back and since the tree blossoms around the time of the lunar New Year, this print was likely made for display at that time of year. It was a popular New Year custom to display images of Zhong Kui to protect a household.
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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)
