Chinese Polychrome Wood Carved Seated Deity Figure (Caishen / Civil Official)

$2,625

Antiques & Decorative Arts · Late Ming to Early Qing Dynasty, circa 17th–18th century (or high-quality later period reproduction)

A substantial Chinese polychrome wood carved seated figure depicting a bearded male deity or civil official, dressed in official court robes with a characteristic black guangmao (official's hat), holding an attribute (staff or ruyi) in one hand and a vessel in the other, with a tiger or lion figure at his feet suggesting identification as Caishen (God of Wealth) or a military/civil guardian deity. The figure retains significant original polychrome decoration in red, black, and ochre over a gesso ground, with naturalistic facial features and well-articulated drapery folds typical of Ming-Qing temple sculpture traditions. The wood shows pronounced age cracking, checking splits throughout the torso and base, and surface wear consistent with centuries of use, though the iconographic quality and scale (estimated 24–30 inches tall) place it firmly in the tradition of altar or domestic shrine figures.

Listed on Tappraise · Pixel Drift LLC