Gilded Coffers: Gold and Red on the Ceiling

Show a richly gilded coffered ceiling above the altar of a Taiwanese temple, looking upward. Render layer upon layer of timber bracket work converging toward a central medallion, with gold leaf applied across almost every carved surface so the whole ceiling glows. Keep the recesses and flat grounds in a deep vermilion so the gold reads against red rather than floating in darkness. Detail the central medallion as a carved dragon or phoenix in high relief, fully gilded, with a hanging pendant at its centre. Show the gilding honestly — leaf laid in overlapping squares whose edges are faintly visible, worn thin on the lower edges where incense smoke and cleaning have reached, with the red bole showing through in places. Include hanging lanterns and tasselled banners entering the lower frame, and a haze of incense smoke softening the upper reaches. Light warmly from below with the lanterns and candlelight. Photorealistic, gold and vermilion, opulent and smoke-darkened, straight-up view.