Altar

Altar

China--Religious life and customs

Emigration and immigration

Altars

Large wood rectangular altar with painted and gilded decorative motifs, recessed panels, offerings platform, Chinese characters, framed edges, and columns. The carving shows leaves, flowers, birds, bats, butterflies, a banner, and Chinese characters. The top front has three framed sections, with a different motif in each section. The outer right section has birds and the outer left section has flowers and butterflies. The center section, which is the largest, has two bats above a carved banner with Chinese characters. The front outer sections on each side have carved flowers, leaves, and butterflies; these sections are held up by two narrow beams. The inner section at the top is shadowed by the leaves and butterflies on the outer section and the flowers on both right and left sides. Both the right and left corner sections have been painted with a floral scene. The interior center section has more Chinese characters surrounded by painted flowers. Green painted panels on each side have carved, gilded Chinese characters. The back interior wall of the altar is covered with canvas that has been painted red. The back is made up of four planks of wood. This wood appears to have once been stained red.

An address on the bottom of the altar reads 126 Clore, and the altar was likely used in Helena. The altar was dedicated to Guan Yu, a famous general who died in 220 AD. The two vertical lines of characters flanking the altar’s central portion translate: “Throughout the ages, his Firmness and Loyalty shine bright as the Moon and Sun/For eons, his Bravery and Sincerity with the hills and rivers is one.”

1870-1900

1973.17.01

/1973 17 01.tif

Wood/Paint/Canvas/Metal

62

47.32

15.39

Chinese

Montana Historical Society Museum Collection

Gift of Mrs. Doris Marshall