{"product_id":"antique-chinese-carved-wood-smiling-official-ancestor-figure-23cm","title":"Antique Chinese Carved Wood Smiling Official Ancestor Figure | 23cm","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA charming antique Chinese carved and polychromed wood ancestor figure of a seated official, thought to be early 19th century, possibly earlier.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eHe 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIn 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eFigures 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eCondition:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 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.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eDimensions:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e 23cm high\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003ePrice:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e £50\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"windsorvintage","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":59112430240118,"sku":null,"price":50.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0603\/2834\/5765\/files\/64D59096-8658-4CD5-9887-C958DA79DA55.jpg?v=1792850265","url":"https:\/\/windsor-vintage.co.uk\/products\/antique-chinese-carved-wood-smiling-official-ancestor-figure-23cm","provider":"windsorvintage","version":"1.0","type":"link"}