Pictorial Charm Item Number: Edz4306 from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
A metal male figure squatting on a coin-shaped charm. The charm has designs and characters on the face, and many characters on the reverse. The male figure is naked and wearing a headdress.
History Of Use
Probably used for hanging or display, serving the same purpose as in Edz4187 and Edz4279. It may also have been a Taoist amulet for safe residence.
Iconographic Meaning
The naked person might be related to fertility symbolism, as charms with images depicting naked couples in intimate relationship were often given to a newly wedded couple. Another interpretation is that the naked figure was used to prevent fire while the Daoist wrath was to prevent other evil spirits from entering the house (Tsai, 1973, 439). A folk legend has it that the fire goddess was ayoung maid who would shy away when she saw the naked image as she approached the house.
Item History
- Made in China between 1368 and 1911
- Collected between 1893 and 1911
- Owned by Colin Campbell Brown
- Owned by Hugh Campbell Brown before February 1, 1961
- Received from Hugh Campbell Brown (Donor) on February 1, 1961
What
- Name
- Pictorial Charm
- Identification Number
- Edz4306
- Type of Item
- charm
- Material
- brass metal
- Manufacturing Technique
- cast and filed
- Overall
- height 1.3 cm, width 4.1 cm, depth 8.3 cm, weight 33.14 g
Who
- Culture
- Chinese
- Previous Owner
- Colin Campbell Brown and Hugh Campbell Brown
- Received from
- Hugh Campbell Brown (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- China
When
- Creation Date
- between 1368 and 1911
- Collection Date
- between 1893 and 1911
- Ownership Date
- before February 1, 1961
- Acquisition Date
- on February 1, 1961
Other
- Item Classes
- metalwork
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 0042/0031 sss