What materials were used for these statues?

Makers utilised a wide range of materials including dense hardwoods, root wood, soapstone, bronze, iron, stone, and glazed stoneware. Each medium required distinct manufacturing techniques, from lost-wax metal casting to direct hand-carving in timber.

How do I identify a temple guardian?

Temple guardians, such as Zhenwu or figures often termed Foo Dogs, usually present a larger scale and imposing posture designed for protective placement. They appear in pairs or as monumental single works carved from wood, stone, or modelled in terracotta.

Were these figures painted?

Many wooden and ceramic sculptures featured polychrome paint, gilt layers, or specific coloured glazes like turquoise and yellow. Over time, these surface treatments show varying degrees of wear that reveal the underlying wood or ceramic body.

What subjects are most common?

The inventory frequently includes Daoist and Buddhist deities such as Guanyin, Shoulao, and Buddhas, alongside mythical beasts and animals. Human figures representing fishermen, scholars, and men with animals also appear alongside pairs of auspicious creatures.