Pictorial Charm
Item number Edz4280 from the MOA: University of British Columbia.
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- Data
- Data Source
This information was automatically generated from data provided by MOA: University of British Columbia. It has been standardized to aid in finding and grouping information within the RRN. Accuracy and meaning should be verified from the Data Source tab.
Description
Round charm, round centre hole, inner and outer rims on both sides, many characters and design on obverse, characters left; eight trigrams top, figure right, turtle and snake on reverse.
History Of Use
Probably used for hanging or display. Although charms of the same design are distributed to tourists as souvenirs at religious sites of contemporary China, these magic spell charms were probably put to serious use in ancient society. People in need of healing or supernatural help to turn their fortune around plead with the Daoist practitioners to draw the attention of the powerful deities, specifically the Thunder God and Taishang Laojun (Lao-tzu). After the ritual performance, the charm bearing the magic spell would be presented to the individual in need as an amulet.
Iconographic Meaning
Eight trigams on reverse, turtle, and snake (representing the supreme deity Zhenwu Dadi), and the image of Laojun (Lao-tzu) or god of thunder, all represent the magic power of religious Daoism, meant to deter the evil and harmful.
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
- Edz4280
- Type of Item
- charm
- Material
- tin alloy metal ?
- Manufacturing Technique
- cast and filed
- Overall
- height 0.19 cm, diameter 4.34 cm, weight 15.41 g
Where
- Holding Institution
- MOA: University of British Columbia
- Made in
- China
Who
- Culture
- Chinese
- Previous Owner
- Colin Campbell Brown and Hugh Campbell Brown
- Received from
- Hugh Campbell Brown (Donor)
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
- good
- Accession Number
- 0042/0073 wwww
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