Gilt Ancestor Figure

An integral part of traditional Chinese home life, ancestor worship before a domestic altar often featured painted ancestral portraits or tabletop ancestor figures. Seated upon a red roundback chair, this wooden ancestor figure bears the likeness of one of its original owner's important forebears. The figure holds himself with a commanding posture, draped in golden robes and originally holding a staff in his right hand. The face of a dragon decorates one leg, a symbol of power, authority, and grandeur. Rich with character from a century of use, this small sculpture is a treasured keepsake with a vital connection to family history.