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A LARGE CHINESE ANCESTOR GROUP PORTRAIT, LATE 19TH CENTURY/20TH CENTURY
Chinese ink and colour on paper, depicting a group of five seated figures dressed in their fine satin winter robes, in front of a screen illustrated with mountains, mist and pines, symbolising the sitters' scholarly wisdom, the female sitters, each with the family insignia badge at their fronts, and with pearls in their headdresses, indicative of the official status of the patriarch, the backdrop to this work is beautifully detailed including the diamond-patterned floor tiles, mounted and framed, 142 x 89cm
For a similar work, please refer to: Christies, South Kensington, 28 April, 2015, lot 202; and Christies, South Kensington, 18 March, 2012, lot 64
Catalogue note: China has a very long tradition of ancestor worship, and living family members would routinely perform rituals in order to honour their ancestors, sometimes asking for special favours or assistance from them, as they were considered to have the ability to influence the fortune of the living.
The social aspect of the ritual was to cultivate family values, loyalty and lineage.
Ancestral portraits were usually painted by anonymous artists in workshops and were designed to provide an important focal point for those rituals in the house. The portraits were considered objects of great value. A requisite to being portrayed was to have a high civil rank of government.
Unsold
Lot 161
Chinese ink and colour on paper, depicting a group of five seated figures dressed in their fine satin winter robes, in front of a screen illustrated with mountains, mist and pines, symbolising the sitters' scholarly wisdom, the female sitters, each with the family insignia badge at their fronts, and with pearls in their headdresses, indicative of the official status of the patriarch, the backdrop to this work is beautifully detailed including the diamond-patterned floor tiles, mounted and framed, 142 x 89cm
For a similar work, please refer to: Christies, South Kensington, 28 April, 2015, lot 202; and Christies, South Kensington, 18 March, 2012, lot 64
Catalogue note: China has a very long tradition of ancestor worship, and living family members would routinely perform rituals in order to honour their ancestors, sometimes asking for special favours or assistance from them, as they were considered to have the ability to influence the fortune of the living.
The social aspect of the ritual was to cultivate family values, loyalty and lineage.
Ancestral portraits were usually painted by anonymous artists in workshops and were designed to provide an important focal point for those rituals in the house. The portraits were considered objects of great value. A requisite to being portrayed was to have a high civil rank of government.
Estimate $2,000 - $3,000
Asian Art, Classic Furniture & Objects
AUCTION
Sale: LJ8080
12:00pm - 25 October 2015
333 Malvern Rd, South Yarra 3141
VIEWING
21 October 9am-8pm
22-23 October 10am-4pm
24 October 10am-5pm
CONTACT
Chiara Curcio
chiara.curcio@leonardjoel.com.au
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