China. Figural mural in honor of Wenchang Wang.... Lot 497

China. Figural mural in honor of Wenchang Wang. Soapstone, carved. Qing dynasty, around 1860. 35 x 23,5 cm. In narrow frame. Wall panel in the honor of Wenchang Wang, soap stone, carved, Qing dynasty, small frame. Crack bottom right. Very elaborately carved panel depicting a temple in the mountains, surrounded by bamboo and pine trees, buzzing with numerous small birds. The pagoda-like architecture is inscribed with six inscription fields on two levels - the outer four characters read ''Tianchao, nian da'' (''Heavenly Dynasty, Great Year''), from which the period of origin of the panel can be deduced: the designation Tianchao, also translated as Heavenly Kingdom, taken from older literature, was primarily used to exalt one's own state power in times of crisis and revolution. In the history of the Qing Dynasty, which spanned centuries, the name was widely used, especially during the Taiping Revolution (1850-64), so that the inscription engraved here actually allows a dating to the time around 1860. The center fields show the dedication of the temple complex depicted - here one reads at ground level ''Wenchang gong'', Palace of Wenchang Wang, and above it ''Kui Xing Jun'', Great Master Kui or Kui the Star Prince. The figure of the scholar Wenchang Wang originates from Chinese mythology and embodies the Daoist deity of culture, literature and scholarship, which is why he is invoked by students, authors and scribes as a source of inspiration. His appearance is shrouded in legend; in 3,000 years of history, 17 reincarnations have come down to us, in which he appears not only as a sage, but also as a warrior and folk hero. Wenchang's virtues were exemplary; he was considered loyal, sincere, reliable, helpful, incorruptible, forgiving and peace-loving. The high importance given to him within the mythology can be seen every night until today: in the constellation of the Big Dipper the physical appearance of Wenchang and some of his disciples is seen. In this context, a special role was given to the student Zhang Kui - when he was passed over by the emperor due to his disfigured appearance during the congratulations for the outstanding graduation, the gnome-like young man decided to end his life and threw himself into the sea to resurrect as a star. Under the name Kui Xing, he became the god of examinations and assistant to Wenchang Wang; his star is the second brightest in the image of the Big Dipper and the farthest from the fork. Students and scholars seek his assistance in unison with Wenchang, which is why the figurative temple of the tablet is dedicated to both figures. In the very vivid cloudy sky above the scene, there is an image of Wenchang (far left), accompanied by eight other figures. These are the Eight Immortals, also from Daoist mythology - saints who provide succor in times of need and embody in their entity the basic eight conditions of life: youth, old age, poverty, wealth, nobility, people, female and male. They carry with them the attributes given to them, the symbols of the Eight Precious, which are also widely used in Chinese art. Thus, the pictorial program of the panel is not only under the aspect of the mere worship of Wenchang Wang as a deity of literature and culture, but also as an admonition to a virtuous way of life that does not shun hardship and is rewarded by the blessings of the gods. An older, vertical break with small missing parts; from this a smaller horizontal one on the right margin. Overall secured.