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Antique Chinese carved wood ancestor figure of seated smiling official, front view
Front view of antique Chinese wood official figure holding red tablet
Close-up of smiling painted face and flat-topped hat on antique Chinese figure
Black robe with gilt buttons and red tablet on antique Chinese ancestor figure
Gilt lap panel, feet and red cushion on antique Chinese carved wood figure
Three-quarter view of antique Chinese carved wood seated official figure
Side profile of antique Chinese carved wood ancestor figure on base
Back of antique Chinese wood figure showing consecration panel and seat hollows
Close-up of sealed consecration panel on back of antique Chinese figure
Back of head and flat-topped hat on antique Chinese carved wood figure
Rear three-quarter view of antique Chinese carved wood ancestor figure
Detail of worn gilt and paint losses to lap of antique Chinese wood figure
Close-up of tablet and painted robe on antique Chinese carved official figure
Smiling face and black robe of antique Chinese carved wood ancestor figure
Underside of base of antique Chinese carved wood ancestor figure
Antique Chinese carved wood official figure held in hand to show scale

Antique Chinese Carved Wood Smiling Official Ancestor Figure | 23cm

A charming antique Chinese carved and polychromed wood ancestor figure of a seated official, thought to be early 19th century, possibly earlier.

He sits upright with a broad, gentle smile. His face is painted in warm tones with dark brows and eyes, now softened by a fine web of age crackle. He wears a tall, flat-topped official's hat and a black round-collared robe edged in red at the neck. The robe has gilt roundel buttons and painted cream bands down the front.

In his right hand he holds a red-lacquered tablet, and in his left he holds a cylindrical attribute. Below the robe, a gilt-lacquered panel falls between his knees, and his booted feet rest on a red cushion above a black-lacquered base.

Figures like this represented honoured ancestors, often shown in official dress as a mark of status. They sat on the family altar and received offerings of incense, food and prayers. On his back is a rectangular consecration cavity, where sacred items were sealed in to "enliven" the figure. The cover panel appears to still be in place. The back of the seat is carved with two shallow rounded hollows.

Condition: Commensurate with age and altar use. There are extensive paint losses to the robe, gilt panel and base, with bare wood showing through, and age crackle to the face. The top of the attribute in his left hand is worn or lost back to bare wood. There are small losses to the back of the hat, and an old hairline crack to the underside. General wear and rubbing throughout. Stable and displays beautifully. Please see photos as part of the description.

Dimensions: 23cm high

Price: £50