Taoist Priest Holding Ritual Items
19th - 20th Century, Taoist / Popular Religions, China Lacquer over Wood
This Toaist priest sits on an extremely short backless raised pedestal. His three-quarter length plain red outer robe with long sleeves is bordered in black, clasped above the waist and held open to reveal a dark grey-green long undergarment tied under his stomach with a belt with double sash which extends to the border of his robe.
In his left hand the priest holds a ritual cup, and his raised right hand holds a tablet, an object characteristic of Taoist officials. The cup probably symbolizes an exlir associated with the assurance of long life. His well-carved face has a slight smile with gently curving lips and portrays signs of age in the creases on his forehead and around his lips.
The bung that covers the back cavity is still sealed and probably contains sutras, messages to ancestors and string and sticks representing the innards and bones of the figure, which were placed there during an eye opening ceremony.
