Set of two antique Chinese hand-painted wooden cabinet doors. Both paintings show Ming dynasty official, his wife, concubines and children.

Each panel is 14" x 19"; 3/4" thick [35.6cm x 48.2cm x 1.9cm]; heavy patina on the bronze nobs [see photos]; several small damages, wood creases, paint surface wear, and some restoration. Good/ very good condition.

The official resides on a throne-like chair outside of his house. On one panel, his two children are feeding two birds in the courtyard, on the other panel, they stand on the balcony watching the adults in the yard. Based on the number of fine ladies in the official's household, indicates that he belongs to the highest rank of the court hierarchy. [1st rank officials were permitted to have up to ten concubines, 2nd rank – up to 8 concubines... There were 9 ladies.] There are blue clouds around the official's house and courtyard. Clouds are considered lucky and so feature heavily in Chinese pictures and symbolism. Between the official's chair and the entree into his house is a large golden 'cloud' with clearly defined round holes, circles. In traditional feng shui symbolism, circles indicate metal symbolizing material riches. In the two paintings, the presented official is very rich. There are two golden oval shaped objects in the sky. In one painting, they are located on top of the tree in the middle; in the second painting, one of the unidentified objects is located on the cloud, another one on the roof of the house. These two golden objects could symbolize spirits of the relatives guarding over the official and his family. "Ancestor worship" was a "ritual activity" which was of great importance in spiritual aspect in ancient China.

Rates vary per zone/ country -estimates only [not incl. zone 9], we will adjust shipping costs with the invoice.

US: Priority (c.2-4 days) -------- $85.50
Canada: Priority (c 2-6 weeks) -- $132.50
World: Priority (c 2-7 weeks) --- $149.50