Small Daoist stele depicting Laojun in a niche

A miniature stele with relief carving on the front and engraved inscription on the back. The front depicts a rectangular niche beneath an elaborate canopy or curtain. The canopy has side streamers that consist of tassels and decorations that are presumably jade ornaments. Inside the niche, a seated figure leaning on an armrest is posed on a high pedestal, at the foot of which two lions appear flanking an incense burner. The figure–presumably the Daoist deity, Laojun, is capped, bearded, and with raised right hand holding a zhuwei. He has a double nimbus. Two standing attendants who hold hu tablets are on either side.

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Historical period(s)
Northern Zhou dynasty, 567
Medium
Stone
Dimensions
H x W x D (overall): 16.8 x 12.2 x 6.1 cm (6 5/8 x 4 13/16 x 2 3/8 in)
Geography
China
Credit Line
Acquired under the guidance of the Carl Whiting Bishop expedition
Collection
Freer Study Collection
Accession Number
FSC-S-48
On View Location
Currently not on view
Classification(s)
Sculpture, Stone
Type

Stele

Keywords
Carl Whiting Bishop collection, China, Daoism, halo, incense, Laojun, lion, Northern Zhou dynasty (557 - 581)
Provenance
Provenance research underway.
Description

A miniature stele with relief carving on the front and engraved inscription on the back. The front depicts a rectangular niche beneath an elaborate canopy or curtain. The canopy has side streamers that consist of tassels and decorations that are presumably jade ornaments. Inside the niche, a seated figure leaning on an armrest is posed on a high pedestal, at the foot of which two lions appear flanking an incense burner. The figure--presumably the Daoist deity, Laojun, is capped, bearded, and with raised right hand holding a zhuwei. He has a double nimbus. Two standing attendants who hold hu tablets are on either side.

Inscription(s)

Inscription: "In the nineteenth day of the sixth moon of the second year of Tianhe (567), daomin Zhi Yuanzun made a Laojun image, for the benefit of his late parents."

Published References
  • Li Song. A History of Chinese Daoist Art. China. .
  • Liu Yang. Origins of Daoist Iconography. vol. 31 Washington and Ann Arbor. p. 36, fig. 7.
Collection Area(s)
Chinese Art
Web Resources
Google Cultural Institute
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