Description:
A Highly Impressive Illuminated manuscript, Brilliant Watercolours and Gouache on Mulberry paper comprising 204 panels, laid onto heavier paper and bound concertina style, depicting an elaborate Daoist religious ceremony, including a procession of musicians, banner bearers, dignitaries, deities and mythical creatures, and Kaigen-kuyo or the ritual of the eye-opening ceremony, the Five Thunder Gods are invoked to dispel demons (the blue figures with flaming red hair), the twelve animals of the zodiac are present representing the blending of religious and secular Chinese beliefs, as well as drawing attention to the importance of the date of the ceremony (the second day of the second division of the second month of winter, in the eleventh year of the reign of Tongzhi, a ren shen year). Titled and dated on opening leaves, approximately 30metres (100ft) long, 27cm (10.5ins) high, blue calf covers, silk floral fitted case.
Account of a Daoist religious ceremony, Chongfu Altar, Shanxi Province, Northern… Read More