Record

Ancestor figure, representing man who had died around AD 1800

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in Taiwan

Postcard of Ancestor figure, representing man who had died around AD 1800.
000-180-000-777-C
© National Museums Scotland

Ancestor figure, representing man who had died around AD 1800

This figure was made to represent a particular man who had died around AD 1800 in Taiwan. It commemorated him as an ancestor and acted as a focus for his descendant's offerings and prayers to him.

The figure has been carved from a single piece of wood, and detail has been carved and painted. The man stands with hands clasped and with a sad expression. He wears clothes and there is what looks like an inscription on his left side.

Ancestors have traditionally been very important to people over much of south-east Asia and the Pacific, as the source of protection, wisdom and power. Veneration of the ancestors took various forms, including the making of these figures.


Record details

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Online ID: 000-180-000-777-C
Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
Project: 0504: National Museums Scotland Part 2
Project description | View all records in project
Ref: National Museums Scotland  A.1914.185
Date: Around 1800
Material: Carved and painted wood
Dimensions: 30.00" H
What: Figure / man / ancestral image
Subject: Figures / wood, carved
Who:
Where: Taiwan
Event:
Description: Ancestral image in carved and painted wood representing a male who died about the beginning of the 19th century: Taiwan
References:
Translations:
Related Records:
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