Accession Number
1989/2.148

Title
Lu Ban, Patron God of Carpenters

Artist(s)
Chinese

Artist Nationality
Chinese (culture or style)

Object Creation Date
20th century

Medium & Support
woodblock print on paper

Dimensions
18 1/16 in x 15 3/16 in (45.9 cm x 38.5 cm);19 1/8 in x 16 1/8 in (48.6 cm x 41 cm);19 1/8 in x 16 1/8 in (48.6 cm x 41 cm)

Credit Line
Gift of Willard A. and Marybelle B. Hanna

Subject matter
The central figure is Lu Ban, a master craftsman also known as the father of carpentry in Chinese history. He is known for his inventions in carpentry such as the saw, the cloud ladder, the wooden bird, and many more. He is surrounded by scholars who hold various ancient carpentry tools such as an axe, saw, and spear. The smaller sized figures below him show two men making wooden crafts with the tools invented by Lu Ban. 

Physical Description
A central figure is surounded by four figures, two on each side. Below the central figure are two smaller sized figures. The central figure has a beard, a crown, and holds his hands together inside the sleeves of his robe. The four figures around him are all holding carpentry tools such as axes and saws. The two smaller sized figures below th central figure are seen conducting carpentry work. 

Primary Object Classification
Print

Primary Object Type
color print

Collection Area
Asian

Rights
If you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.

Keywords
carpenters
crafts (art genres)
gods
inventors
wood (plant material)