A PAIR OF CHINESE POLYCHROME DEITY SCULPTURES
two Chinese seated deity figures of carved solid timbers (locust or paulownia), integral bases of roughly oblong form with simple detailing in red polychromy, c. 1800
comprising:

a) seated female figure in red and black robes, sleeve ends covering her hands, high chignon with a red diadem holding back here hair and surmounted with a floral decoration; overall height: 53 cm (20 7/8 in.), support: 12 x 18 x 15 cm (4 3/4 x 7 1/16 x 5 15/16 in.)
b) seated male figure in yellow and red robes, the tips of his shoes showing at the front, a court tablet held in two hands folded at the chest, wearing a court hat of the Warring States in red and black polychrome; overall height: 50 cm (19 11/16 in.), support: 11 x 19.5 x 16 cm (4 5/16 x 7 11/16 x 6 5/16 in.)

LOT NOTES
The pair most likely represent the Daoist pairing of the male God of Wealth (Cai Shen) and the female Sovereign of the Clouds at Dawn (Bixia Yuanjun), or, alternatively, the Queen Mother of the West (Xi Wangmu) and the Yellow Emperor (Huangdi), the City God, Kitchen God, or Jade Emperor. The pair of sculptures were probably used in devotional practices as rural gods and were placed outside, as indicated by the signs of exposure to the natural elements.