E0384A: Shrine

Ethnographic

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Identifier:

E0384A

Classification Category:

8:Communication Artifacts ➞ Ceremonial Artifact

Materials:

stone/minerals ➔ jade
stone/minerals
botanical ➔ wood

Dimensions:

18 cm L
5.5 cm W
8.5 cm H

Provenance of Object:

Probably Chinese, but not certain (Asia361 research)

This object was held in the museum that Luther College started in 1877. This museum eventually grew into the Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum, and following this, non-Norwegian American ethnographic objects were returned to Luther and accessioned into the college’s Anthropology Collection. Without additional documentation, was likely obtained by the Luther College Museum (later the Norwegian-American Museum) between the late 19th century and early 20th century.

Production Date:

Assumed to be 20th century (Asia361 research)

Use/Function:

Fuk Luk Sau are household gods and as a result of that are normally not prayed to or worshiped but instead with the utmost respect. For instance, instead of praying to Fuk Luk Sau, "daily incense burning, candles and fresh or artificial flowers are usually offered to these three wise men in hope of them bestowing their gifts on humans." This means that they still are somewhat religious because they do offer religious meaning to those who have them but they are also seen as household objects that are not prominent. For instance, they are objects that represent health, wealth, and happiness but they are not worshiped in a way that God/Jesus are in Christianity, Buddha in Buddhism, or other dominant religious that have particular figures. The Fuk Luk Sau are instead based off of more ordinary people.
Most common people could have used this object. It is sold very commonly as a way to enhance Feng Shui. The commercialization of this object has been seen through the internet, markets, and stores as a way to increase Feng Shui in Western homes recently.
The specific object that is in the Anthropology Lab at Luther is quite a but different because it does not follow the original order of the Fuk Luk Sau. This makes it certain that this object, made with jade, probably comes from Western influence. The stand that the object is on means that the Fuk Luk Sau only goes on a certain way and this is different than most images on the internet. In addition, it is also different from what one reads about the order that the Fuk Luk Sau should go in. There are so many varieties of Fuk Luk Sau that I could not figure out what time period this one came from. It was most likely a tourist or commercial item someone brought. (Asia361)

Source Locality:

China

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