Door God Print Item Number: 806/10 a-b from the MOA: University of British Columbia
Description
Two rectangular prints (parts a-b) each depicting a civil door god (wen menshen;文門神), shown in opposite colours and positions. Both are wearing an elaborate headdress. Part a depicts a man in a mostly red robe, with green and yellow parts. He holds a flat oval shaped scepter, known as huban (笏板) in his right hand, and an orange ritual wine vessel known as jue (爵) in his left hand. He is facing to his left (viewer's right). Part b depicts a man in a mostly green robe, with red and yellow parts. He holds a flat oval shaped scepter, known as huban (笏板) in his left hand, and an orange ritual wine vessel known as jue (爵) in his right hand. He is facing to his right (viewer's left).
History Of Use
Known as menshen (門神, door gods), they are considered to protect homes from evil spirits. Prints depicting them are usually displayed on the door inside and outside the house during the Chinese Spring Festival (春節) or Lunar New Year. Such prints are thus known as nianhua (年画, new year pictures). Civil door gods would be displayed on the inner doors of the home.
Narrative
Collected by Johnson at Kun Iam Tong (观音堂), or Guan Yin Temple, Macau (澳門), in 1981.
Item History
- Made in Macau
- Collected during 1981
- Owned by Graham E. Johnson before January 8, 1982
- Received from Graham E. Johnson (Donor) on January 8, 1982
What
- Name
- Door God Print
- Identification Number
- 806/10 a-b
- Type of Item
- Part A
- height 54.2 cm, width 39.4 cm
- Part B
- height 54.2 cm, width 39.2 cm
Who
- Culture
- Chinese
- Previous Owner
- Graham E. Johnson
- Received from
- Graham E. Johnson (Donor)
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- Macau
When
- Collection Date
- during 1981
- Ownership Date
- before January 8, 1982
- Acquisition Date
- on January 8, 1982
Other
- Item Classes
- works on paper
- Condition
- fair
- Accession Number
- 0806/0010 a-b