Antique Attendant to the Queen Mother of the West Holding a Peach of Immortality, China (16205)

Description

Jade Maidens are goddesses with their own spiritual and magical powers. They are known for their beauty which reflects the purity and elegance of jade, a highly prized and symbolic gemstone in Chinese culture. Reflecting moral purity, they are called immaculate and virginal, reflecting their unblemished, spiritual nature and association with the highest celestial realms.

In addition to being vital assistants, they symbolize the core Taoist concepts of balance, femininity, and connection to the divine. They represent the female Tao principles of yin – receptivity, natural harmony and soft, internal strength – contrasting the male overt yang power. As a link between the divine and human realms, they are messengers and facilitators of spiritual communication. Female deities and attendants are associated with the path to immortality and spiritual evolution and play an essential supportive role aiding others on their spiritual journey.

This Maiden has a quiet, calm expression that reflects her inner peace and spiritual focus. Her beatific smile expresses heavenly and spiritual bliss, joy, contentment, serenity and modesty with eyes gently cast downward. She is clearly an enlightened being, indicated by her pendulous ears, blissful smile and elevated flowing celestial ribbons winding around her head and upper body. Swirling ribbons suggests weightlessness, flying through air or being in the heavens and signify the power of the individual they surround. Her robe is modest with a scalloped collar and long flowing sleeves, and her top bun is held with a decorative thin curved headdress.

The rear cavity indicates the carving was consecrated by a priest in an eye-opening ceremony before being placed on an altar. It is in excellent condition with lacquer and pigmentation intact and expected minor losses and cracks consistent with age and use. The statue represents a powerful, selfless, and dedicated form of devotion.

Source:

Stevens, Keith: Chinese Gods, The Unseen World of Spirits and Demons, Collins and Brown Limited, London, 1997