The Raised Fan

Viewing notes

A viewer's written impression — not a buyer review or first-hand record

This polychrome elder, white-bearded and white-browed, sits in state on a high-backed throne. He wears a small golden crown and an orange-yellow wide-sleeved robe embroidered in gold thread with roundels and cloud patterns; across his waist runs a red band fastened by a golden beast-mask buckle, with red knotted ornaments hanging from it. His right hand lifts a great fan high beside his shoulder — its face deep blue, painted with sun-and-moon emblems and a pavilion, a long red tassel falling from its edge — while the left hand lightly supports the fan's shaft before his belly. Beneath him, a dark carved altar base steps down in tiers covered with clouds and key-fret patterns. Warm and vivid in colour, solemn yet at ease in expression, it serves equally for veneration and counsel, and as a highly recognisable collected piece in a traditional theme.