Title
Chinese woodblock print depicting a Military Door God
Year/Period
Mid 1940s-mid 1960s
Region
Suzhou, China
Material
paper
Technique
wood block print
Dimension
Image size: 81 x 53.3 cm,
Image size: H87.0 x W58.4 cm (Mount)
Image size: H87.0 x W58.4 cm (Mount)
Accession No.
2010-00958
Collection of
NLB Type
Cultural artefact
This print depicts a Military Door God with an elaborate costume that makes him look imposing. Prints of Military Door Gods are usually modelled after famous heroes, but some may just depict a general-like figure. The door gods usually come in pairs and are placed facing each other to prevent spirits from passing through the doors. Door Gods were the earliest form of ‘Chinese New Year prints’ (年画, nianhua). This print was produced in Taohuawu, a village in Suzhou province in China, famous for its ‘nianhua’.
