This figure, made from jiaozhi ceramic, represents one of the Three God Officials, who function as judges of fate in the three spheres of Heaven, Earth and Water. Their veneration is rooted in the ancient worship of nature preceding Daoism. During the 2nd century, their pervading influence attracted Zhang Daoling. He appropriated the Three Officials and absorbed their worship into the Daoist pantheon. In popular belief, it is said that the Heaven Official (Tianguan 天官) bestows happiness, the Earth Official (Diguan 地官) pardons sins and the Water Official (Shuiguan 水官) protects from misfortune.This type of ceramic is essentially enamelled, low-fired ceramic (minyao), originating from the Guangdong province in south China. It was commonly used in religious architecture or in wealthy patrons' homes. The forms created were usually figurines of folk, Daoist and Buddhist origins. Animals, flowers and foliage with auspicious meanings, too, were also included in this repertoire. The art of jiaozhi ceramic spread to Taiwan in the late Ming and early Qing dynasties.Mr Lin Kuang I, who made this jiaozhi piece, is the foremost Jiaozhi artist in Taiwan and in the world. The art of Jiaozhi ceramic is more vibrant in Taiwan than in China today. He trained under Lin-Tien-mu, who was in turn the disciple of Yeh Wang - the most influential figure in Taiwanese Jiaozhi. Mr Lin made breakthroughs in glaze technology and firing. He is most skilled in the making of human figurines and organic shapes.
