This individual is wearing an official's costume as is demonstrated by his rank badge on his chest. His left hand holds a booklet while the right, a fan. The elderly man is sitting on a horseshoe armchair. Ancestor carvings of this type can be found in lineage halls and in homes during special occasions such as the death anniversaries of the deceased ancestors. They are placed on domestic altars and venerated daily. This carving function very much like the ancestor portraits, capturing the likeness of the ancestors and reminding the descendents to be filial.
