Featured Carved gilt wood figure

An item from grandfather unknown history, stands 13” tall. I don’t have any other information and have never researched this I don’t know age or value but I don’t expect it would be valued beyond its decorative appeal?

the stand in the background is not related to the carving, but coincidentally bares my wife’s grandfathers name.

 

Very interesting figure. I would not be surprised if he is 19th century, and may represent Cai Shen, Chinese god of wealth and prosperity.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/266840755138

The broken object in his right hand may have been a ruyi, a symbol of good fortune. His hat would have had two extended ribbons (one of which is now missing), a style symbolizing high status and achievement.

He might have been used in a temple or a family shrine. There are many Chinese gods, and their iconography is complex. I found a few comparisons through google image search of carved, gilded figures incorporating real hair, but few of these had information as to meaning or provenance. The few that I did find seemed to come primarily from the Chinese diaspora in Southeast Asia.

You might try contacting this shop in Singapore, where several generations of artists have been making and repairing Taoist figures since 1896. They provide educational demonstrations at their shop. Perhaps they might be willing to comment on your fellow -

https://www.saytianhng.com/

https://www.johnmilleredu.com/singapore/2019/4/21/where-gods-are-born

 

Thank you for the reply, I do think this could be late 19th century but not as special as the example you posted but likely after the same deity done more for common folk or to satisfy European and American markets interest in Asian arts. I’ll send something to the link in Singapore.

 

No, I just selected that one as an example of the iconography of Cai Shen.

 

I’ve sold much smaller carved figures in a similar style and quality without the hair for $50-$100. I think mine were late 19th or early 20th. Yours has the ornate jacket that mine didn’t. I bet you get $100-$250 if you’re patient. Those mini vases could be something if they aren’t super modern. Chinese porcelain miniatures is a pretty expensive niche for the better stuff.

 

those I think are not old I have 4 of them. However these 3 may have a little more age but I’m not sure how old? The two hundred flower design are 2 5/8” tall the onion pattern is 2 3/4” tall but may not be Chinese.

The FL of the iPhone camera is distorting the image with vigniting.