Animism

Animism is the belief that plants, natural phenomena and inanimate objects all have a spiritual essence and, therefore, are worthy of worship and offerings to stay in their favor or, in the case of bad ones, to keep them at bay and disinterested. It is also a belief in spirits that exist separate from a human body.

Showing 1–12 of 23 results

  • Antique Agricultural Deity and Spring Ox, China (16337LKE) $885

    $885.00
    H: 14.25”  W: 7.125”  D: 4.875” | CALL 213-568-3030 FOR SHIPPING

    To pay homage and respect to one’s ancestors, Chinese rural families commissioned images to honor and protect family members, and in some instances, their domestic and farm animals as seen in this exceptional, fine and rare carving.  Intricately carved from one piece of wood, it depicts a Taoist official holding a hu tablet on top above  the “Spring Ox” accompanied by the “Herd Box”, who together perform an ancient agricultural rituals at the end of each winter to wake the earth up so that spring can arrive.

     

  • Antique Carved Ox-Cart Ornament, Burma/Myanmar (11168BLK) $395

    $395.00
    H: 17.125”  W: 5”  D: 14.5” | CALL 213-568-3030 FOR SHIPPING

    Burmese ox carts are often decorated with carved teak ornaments attached to the yoke/cart crosspiece with a similar function of protection and guidance as the figurehead prow on a ship. This ornament of a man moving up a hill is probably a Burmese nat that wascinitially brightly painted andnow is mounted on a wood and metal stand.

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  • Antique Carved Teak Figure, Burma/Myanmar, (11001BKE) $450

    $450.00
    H: 23″  W: 10″  D: 5.5″ | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    This wonderful teak carving may be an indigenous Burmese Nat placed atop a large fleur-de-lis shield reflecting British influence. Wearing a local native sarong (longyi) with an attractive border drawn up between his legs, a decorative pointed collar covers his chest and shoulders, his headgear is pointed at each side, the eyes are mother of pearl, and the red-painted lips are what remains of what was likely a fully painted carving.

     

     

     

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  • Antique Hamsa Heddle Pulley, Burma/Myanmar (11298A-WCK) $195

    $195.00
    H: 10.5”  W: 3.25”  D: 2.375” | FREE SHIPPING!

    This elegant heddle-pulley carved from a single piece of Burmese teak is topped by a hamsa, a  sacred Buddhist symbol of wisdom mentioned in  the Jakata tales about the life of the Buddha. It is believed that auspicious symbolic animal images protected the weaver, assured quality weaving, and pleased the gods and spirits. This antique piece is wonderfully weathered from time and use.

  • Antique Ox Cart with Chinthe Lion, Burma/Myanmar (11306FSE) $325

    $325.00
    H: 14.5”  W: 17.75”  D: 3.375” | FREE SHIPPING!

    Finely carved figures were attached to ox cart yokes to protect farmers from malevolent spirits who inhabited all seen and unseen sectors of their environment. This beautifully carved ox cart yolk was created in the image of a chinthe, (the word for lion) a mythical creature commonly represented in Burma to decorate a multiplicity of everyday items. Considered a propitious spiritual and protective guardian figure, the chinthe symbolizes power, courage, and strength. This carving displays the common characteristics of singhas with a long face with large eyes, a long sharp nose, a long draping lion-like beard, and a flame-like shape on the top of his head. He stands on all four legs holding his beard that extends from his open roaring mouth with sharply pointed teeth that combine elegance with strong beast-like strength. He is masterfully carved with careful attention to details like the deeply incised hairs that cover his body. For functional reasons, the piece is in two parts held together with a wooden plug. Even though it was for daily use, Burmese craftsmen created beautiful objects and finished them with the best materials they could afford. This piece was originally covered with lacquer, most of which has faded with use over time.  It is in good condition with losses to his left side, fading surface, and wear consistent with its age and use.

  • Antique Peacock Heddle Pulley, Burma/Myanmar (11297A-ZKE) $245

    $245.00
    H: 13”  W: 3.75”  D: 2.625” | FREE SHIPPING!

    This heddle pulley, carved from Burmese teak wood (kyun), a durable, dense hardwood containing natural oil, is topped by a carved peacock. A graceful image and a frequent decorative motif in Burmese art, it has a sweeping tail extending to the top of his head with two combs on a long elegantly curved neck. Weathered over the years with minor losses, the skill of the carving is apparent, especially in the carving of the feathers on the wings. It has survived well and is in good condition with surface losses and discolorations from age and years of wear which adds to its charm. It has no repairs or restoration and pairs well with11297B-ZKE .

  • Antique Peacock Heddle Pulley, Burma/Myanmar (11297B-ZKE) $245

    $245.00
    H: 14.  W: 2.675”  D: 3.5” | FREE SHIPPING!

    This elegant heddle-pulley carved from a single piece of Burmese teak is topped by a peacock, which in Buddhism represents the short-lived nature of all things and it also is the emblem of its last dynasty the Burmese Dynasty. It is believed that auspicious symbolic animal images protected the weaver, assured quality weaving, and pleased the gods and spirits. This antique piece is wonderfully weathered from time and use.

     

  • Antique Teak Hamsa Heddle Pulley, Stand, Burma/Myanmar (11298B-WHK) $255

    $255.00
    • This elegant heddle pulley with a hamsa is carved from a single piece of Burmese teak and portrayed  with deeply cut wings to express well-articulated feathers. Having an unusually long tail, it runs from his rear and curves to the top of its head. Its feet are atop two connected heart-shaped panels that hide the moving thimble between them providing a more artistic feel. This piece is in very good condition, is wonderfully weathered, and has with minor losses with a fine patina covers its originally painted surface. Mounted on a black wood base, this heddle pulley pairs well with item number 11298A.

     

  • Antique/Vintage Bejeweled Wood Naga, Burma/Myanmar (11134B-KRK) $975

    $975.00
    H: 32″  W: 20″  D: 7.5″  SHIPPING INFORMATION REQUIRED. CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    This exceptional naga was likely one of two that were part of a gong stand. Gongs were used in Burma for both ceremonial and musical purposes in religious, state, or secular settings and as protector figures. A superb carving elaborately decorated with gold lacquer and pigmentation over every square inch, he opens his mouth wide bearing mother-of-pearl teeth and a curled blood red mouth and tongue to drive away malevolent spirits reinforced by the large glaring eyes circled in red. On first glance it is menacing, but its history as a protector of Buddha Shakyamuni make it prized as a fanciful, gleeful guardian. His scales are arched relief designs of mixed lacquer and ash highlighted with inset cut mirrors and green sequin-like glass “jewels.” It is mounted on a museum quality stand and is in excellent condition for its age and use despite missing and ear.

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  • Antique/Vintage Rangda Mask on Museum Stand, Indonesia, Bali (1310BML) $875

    $875.00
    H: 15.5”  W: 8.625”  D: 6” | CALL 213-568-3030 FOR SHIPPING

    Central to Balinese culture and lore, Rangda is the demon-queen ruling an army of witches practicing black magic. Frightening, she has two upper fangs and two lower fangs now lost, scary teeth, jagged elements around her head, bulging eyes and is red symbolizing someone angry and threatening. In very good condition considering its age and use, it has expected paint losses, scratches and a fine patina. Personally collected in the 1970s, she is mounted on a museum-quality metal stand.

     

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  • Rare Vintage Jauk Mask, Lombok (1320ZAR) $395

    $395.00
    H: 7.5”  W: 5”  D: 3.75” | FREE SHIPPING

    This finely carved vintage jauk mask is the manis (sweet, softer) version of a jauk mask. It and the dance present the gentle traits of a giant having more normal human-like features and a smile, and its white color is usually symbolic of purity. Those colored red or orange represent one easy to anger. Collected in the 1970s in Lombok, this mask is rare as then  Lombok the Balinese community usually did not sell their masks. It has a fine aged patina with expected hairline cracks and frayed eyebrows consistent with its age and use.

  • Vintage Carved Dewi Sri Rice Harvest Goddess, Bali (3044WOK) $425

    $425.00
    Ht: 14.5”  W: 3.5”  D: 2.25” | FREE SHIPPING!

    This rare vintage carving was probably made for a  home shrine or small rice field temple dedicated to Dewi Sri, the Balinese Goddess of Rice. The hole near the bottom indicates it may have been part of a larger decorative scheme.

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