A pair of temple doors. These two doors are inside doors of a citang, a family or ancestor temple. Both doors are painted with civil door guardians, based on scholar-official figures. The ceremonial robes of the guardians are decorated with dragons.The guardian on the right door holds a dignity sceptre in the left arm and with the right hand he carries a saucer with the representation of a deer with a flower branch in his mouth. The one on the left door holds the dignity sceptre in the right arm and with the right hand he carries a saucer with the image of a white heron.The deer refers to the path that leads to success, honour and glory. The flower branch that the deer has in the mouth is a peony, a symbol of wealth and rank. The heron represents the leading class and righteousness.All these meanings are wishes of happiness, prosperity and wealth for the whole clan associated with the temple.Lacquered woodBoth 71 x 290 cmMing Dynasty