East Asia, Chinese, Qing Dynasty, ca. late 18th to early 19th century CE. A remarkable hand-carved wood figure depicting Tsai Shen Yeh or Cai Shen, the Chinese God of wealth and good fortune. Draped in a heavy black robe with a red hem and belt, the plump deity sits upon a throne with both arms bent at the elbow as he holds his right hand in a fist at his belly and his left outwards grasping a petite spherical object, perhaps a fruit. His round visage features full lips, a broad nose, and two slender eyes beneath an arched brow, all flanked by a pair of sizable ears with lengthy lobes - a symbol of his holiness - and topped with a headdress. Lovely remains of gilding, along with beige and green pigments additionally adorn this wonderful example! Size: 8" W x 16.5" H (20.3 cm x 41.9 cm)

According to scholars, worshipping the God of Fortune originated as prayer to the stars, more specifically the Star of Wealth. The ancient Chinese believed that all deities resided in the sky, with each star representing a deity. Figures such as this example were created for the well-to-do and most exciting, small gold vaults were oftentimes placed inside their backs and resealed so that painting could hide the gold within. The idea was that in the future, perhaps generations later, during troubled times of war, famine, or disease epidemic, uprooted folks would flee with their god of fortune sculptures. The ancestors would have provided for their devastated offspring with the hidden treasure!

Provenance: private Masontown, Pennsylvania, USA, collection, acquired in the 1990s

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#163606

Arm of chair damaged. Nicks, chips, and abrasions throughout, as shown. Losses to side of throne and base. Otherwise, very nice with lovely remains of gilding and pigment.