We Bought A Temple

TEXT: FAYE ANGEVINE IMAGES: COURTESY OF BAI WIN COLLECTION

Tszfeng Temple is the oldest and the largest Matsu temple in Pingtung. Built in 1737, the temple has a history of almost 285 years. In 1983, the grand temple burned down in a fire and subsequently had to be torn down for reconstruction. Bai Win was given the opportunity to purchase the temple ceramic figurines on the roof and in the central room. Buying a temple was no easy task. The figurines were wired and cemented to the temple so required very careful and meticulous removal.

Luckily Baiwin had some very talented carpenters and painters who were willing to spend 5 days slowly but surely removing these figurines piece by piece. Because of some superstition about females not being allowed on the roof, I sat on a little perch on the building next door watching every move of the team.

The figurines that were rescued by Bai Win are the cultural heritage of Taiwan. They used to stand on the roof of the Pingtung Tszfeng Temple as guardians of the deities and as protectors against evil spirits.

Who made these figurines?

It is unknown who made these figurines. It could have been Yeh Wang who was the first master potter to make koji pottery in Taiwan. He was born in 1826 and died in 1887. Most of his works are in Tainan and Chiayi. Or it could have been Hong Kung Fu and his apprentices. Hong was born in 1865 in Xiamen. He followed his master Yeh Wang to Taiwan to help restore the Feng Tian Temple of Xingang. He later developed his career in Taiwan with more and more apprentices following in his steps.

Faye Angevine first set foot in Taiwan over 40 years ago with the intention of studying law. But her love of collecting antiques, which started as a hobby, soon became an all-consuming passion. Faye travels extensively throughout China, combing through dusty warehouses and wandering through remote villages in search of new additions for the perfect to BaiWin’s collection. https://baiwincollection.com/