A VERY RARE WOODBLOCK FOR THE DAOIST DAOZANG

THE PROPERTY OF SILVO A. BEDINI

Details

A VERY RARE WOODBLOCK FOR THE DAOIST DAOZANG
EARLY MING DYNASTY

Likely the frontispiece for the work, the long, rectangular block carved in fine, low relief, depicting the Daoist trinity, the 'three pure ones', Sanqing, the center with Youqing, flanked by Shangqing holding a ruyi scepter, and Daiqing holding a fan, each seated on an elaborate throne draped with a floral carpet before a large double mandorla, surrounded by a dense gathering of lesser Daoist gods and immortals in the manner of a Buddhist paradise, including the god of the north, Xuanwu, at the right of the 'three pure ones', worm holes and losses
37½ x 9¾in. (95.4 X 24.8cm.) framed in glass and wood case

Provenance

A.W. Bahr

Lot Essay

In about the 6th century the Daoist monks began to organize their scriptures in what they called the Daozang (Daoist Treasury) in obvious emulation of the (Buddhist) Tripitaka, or Sanzang. Moreover, the Daoist pantheon was changed in response to the popularity of Mahayana Buddhism's bodhisattva ideal: devotional worship of the compassionate gods dedicated to universal salvation. Thus the Sanqing (Three Pure Ones) made their appearance. The Many Halls of the Three Pure Ones still to be seen in Daoist temples testify to the popularity of this triad. For further discussion see Romeyn Taylor, Encyclopedia of Asian History, New York, 1988, 'Daoism', pp. 361-365