Antique White Robed Guanyin on a Hǒu, China(16963BKE) $725

Description

This extremely unique and charming White Robed Guanyin sits on a Hǒu (Hou), the mythical master of the universe, intermediary between  heaven and humans, the symbol of righteousness and morality and the mandate to usher in peace and prosperity.  The Hǒu here resembles a Buddhist lion with its open roaring mouth emphasizing the power of Guanyin over the forces of nature.  Although generally a forceful beast, this Hǒu is a gentle Buddhist creature curled around Guanyin’s side. Guanyin sits in lalitsana her right hand clasping a rosary reflecting her devotion to Buddhism. Her mature face leans forward with half closed eyes and smiling lips. As a provincial folk Guanyin she modestly dressed and devoid of jewels.  Guanyin images with her on a Hǒu are syncretic, worshipped by Buddhist, Taoist and Popular Religion devotees.  These Images as small home altar figurines are unique and rare, although this one is consecrated so it may have been on a home altar. The Hǒu is one of the most powerful Chinese mythical animals revered for its ability to gather and guard money for its masters and defend them from evil. In Mahayana Buddhism the Hǒu resides on sacred Mount Sumeru with a lotus on each side and Buddhist rosary prayer beads. Finely carved from one dense piece of wood, it retains much of its gilt, polychrome, and lacquer.

Click here for the Blog Consecrating Wooden Images to Imbue Them with A Life Force.