This small and exquistite ‘chien-nab’, a self-contained offering set, comprises of a carved and gilt stand with an offering tray and a box-like cover. The flat sides of the box are painted in gold with landscapes on the back and operatic scenes from Chinese legends such as the ‘Romance of the Three Kingdoms’ on the front. Apart from providing an elaborate design, the opera scene in a sense becomes part of the offerings, in this case as a form of entertainment for the gods. The chien-nab was one of the ritual paraphernalia at a special altar that is set up at the front door for Ting Kong, the Daoist emperor of Heaven. He is worshipped on special occasions such as ‘Ting Kong she’ on the ninth day of the new year, and for the ‘hair-combing’ ritual during the traditional wedding.
