3 Chinese Theatrical Prop Judicial Staffs, 19th C. Carved wood and pigment. Size: Length: 1) 84" (213 cm); 2) 80" (203 cm); 3) 88" (224 cm). In Chinese theater and opera performances, the stage was often minimalist, devoid of elaborate set pieces, with the primary focus on the performers themselves. These actors donned extravagant costumes, intricate makeup, and wielded various props, all of which served to convey their characters' traits.Male roles were categorized into four groups: laosheng (older men with beards), xiaosheng (younger men), wensheng (scholars and officials), and wusheng (fighters). Similarly, the female roles were divided into distinct groups: laodan (older women), qinyi (aristocratic women), huadan (servants), daomdan (warriors), and caidan (comedians). Each of these groups possessed a unique appearance and mannerisms that set them apart from the other performers.For instance, props like the judicial staffs were likely used by characters such as the laosheng or wensheng to symbolize their authority and status. These staffs were crafted from carved wood, featuring a dragon's mouth opening where they met the symbol on the top. Among the staffs, two smaller ones bore dragon motifs, while the larger one displayed an unidentified blimp-like symbol.

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