Fine Group of 7 Yao ceremonial paintings of Taoist gods from one set of 19 which might have been divided at one time among different family members. The small scroll on the front of the first painting on the left translates from the Chinese, the written language of the Yao religion: "In a village in Hunan Province, YongZhou Prefecture, JiangHua County, east of DaYuan Cong Lu Mountain Disciple Li Fa Jing and his wife, Zhao, and Li Fa Shan with 9 people in his family, paid for 19 paintings of the altar gods. The merit they made will bless them with more offspring, good business and financial security." Ceremonial paintings like these of mineral pigment on handmade mulberry paper usually were painted by itinerant Chinese artists. They were present only during the most important Yao ceremonies. Hunnan, China, 19th c. Ranging in Size from: 49.5'' x 20'' (126 x 51 cm) to 48'' x 19.75'' (122 x 50 cm). Provenance: Lee and Vichai Chinalai collection.