Antique Home Altar Queen Mother of the West, China (16035)

Description

Queen Mother of the West, who is the most significant female deity in the Taoist pantheon. As a syncretic Taoist deity, she has a huge cult following among Taoist. Sheas the first goddess who both “obtained the Tao” and was represented in Chinese art. Buddhist and folk religion devotees revered for her powers to control life and death and to determine the life span of all living beings. Irvin calls her one of the Great Chinese Goddesses who are all imperially sanctioned and epitomize the feminine role of compassionate protectors who grant health, long life and safety to all regardless of their social position. Each has large temples, monasteries and small local shrines dedicated to them. Images like this carved by local a artisan  depicted her as modest, humble and matronly with her iconic phoenix on her head to be placed on a home altar along with ancestral figures and other deities.

Finely carved from a dense hardwood, she sits on a backless throne dressed in a graceful robe. The figure was brightly painted as seen by her red garments under a lacquer cover that naturally darkens over time and more-so when placed on an altar or shrine with burning candles and incense. The long sleeve held by two fingers of her right hand covers the other one, a traditional pose for her. Facial features include carved round eyebrows, outlined eyes, full cheeks, and pursed lips depicting a matronly figure of solemnity and authority.

The rear has a carved cavity with the original flat covering (bung) sealed to hold a consecration script, other ritual objects placed on a home altar during an eye-opening ceremony performed by a Taoist priest to consecrate the statue. his charming statue is in very fine condition with paint and lacquer losses, scratches consistent with age and use; minor old chipped right earring; with bottom and base old stabilized worm hole damage.

She is worshipped today, especially by women, in China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong, and many overseas Chinese communities. On her birthday, Taoists, especially women, perform rituals in temples and pray to her to grant them and their family good health and longevity.

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

Click here for the Blog The Queen Mother of the West Xiwangmu: Taoism’s Iconic Female Sovereign of Immortals 

Source:
Lee Irwin, “Divinity and Salvation: The Great Goddesses of China,” in Asian Folklore Studies, Indiana University, Vol. 49, 1990, pp 53-68.