China, 19th century. Gilt, ink, and watercolors on paper. The left fragment depicting Ulkamukha Pretaraja (Flaming-Mouth Ghost King), with flames issuing from his mouth, his face with a fierce expression, bulging eyes below bushy furrowed brows, and red hair, surrounded by gaunt worshippers with tremulous expressions and an image of Avalokiteshvara floating above. The right fragment depicting a Daode Tianzun with smiling expression resting on a lotus throne raised on a wooden pedestal, flanked by a dragon and tiger carrying scepters topped with the sun and the moon, holding an octagonal panel with the taiji and bagua. (2)

Provenance: Hungarian private collection. The back inscribed X3 (2 of 2).
Condition: Good condition with minor wear, few tears, little creasing, minor losses, and staining.

Dimensions: Image size 79 x 62.5 cm, Size incl. frame 82 x 65 cm

Framed behind glass, mounted on silk brocade.

The wrathful deity depicted is Ulkamukha Pretaraja ('Flaming-Mouth Ghost King'), an incarnation of Avalokiteshvara who saves those in the hungry ghost realm. The Daoist deity is Daode Tianzun, ('The Heavenly Lord of Dao and its Virtue'); he is the Taiqing ('The Grand Pure One'), one of the Three Pure Ones, the highest divinities of Taoism. Laozi is regarded to be a manifestation of Daode Tianzun.