Often but not always depicted in pairs with one on each side looking modestly down to offer respect and obeisance to a deity, Buddhist and Taoist attendants. They may carry a range of items: umbrellas and fans to offer shade and protection Buddhist, Taoist, or Popular Religion deities, pillboxes and medicine gourds for Gods of Medicine; swords, insignia, or other martial items for military generals and deities; a seal to authorize a noble’s edict; lances or swords to protect their lord or lady, tablets that declare their authority; gold and silver bars (taels), strings of coins, and swords for Wealth Gods; chains and locks to retain a prisoner; and plates, bowls or trays of refreshment foods or fruits. The object carried is often a Chinese homonym, pun, or symbol with multiple meanings. Some offering plates hold an offering of three items on a plate symbolizing longevity or wealth. A Chinese attendant offering a peach is their wish for longevity and a long life for whoever the offering is for. Ceramic attendants in varying numbers were also included as mingqi in tombs to accompany the deceased in the afterlife. Hindu deities have attendants who increase their power and strength such as Nanda, Shiva’s principal disciple, chief attendant, leader of his attendants called ganas and guardian of all four-footed animals. Guanyin’s acolytes Shancai and Longnii are sometimes referred to as her attendants.
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Guandi lived during the latter part of the Han Dynasty and is the best known and most revered Chinese military historical hero. He was canonized in 1504 as Guan Di, the Taoist God of War and China’s Protector. According to Keith Stevens, he is “all things to all men, not only prayed to for protection…
This fine woodcarving is Chou Ts’ang, the aide-de-camp and attendant to Guandi, the most revered and well-known military hero in Chinese history and the Taoist God of War. As an attendant his hands held together and eyes down cast in respect and legs firmly planted on the ground. His protective military clothing and heavy boots presented in detail and the high red and black pedestal with painted gold florals make him a key figure even though the figure of Guandi he attends would have been much larger and important.
Attendant figures are usually presented on an altar in pairs flanking revered figure they honor. This lovely carving is an enlightened being indicated by her pendulous ears, an elevated flowing ribbon, and blissful smile. She traditionally carries offerings which might be food, fruit, medicine, or other unique items. Her extremely pleasing face highlights her modesty as…
This sweet diminutive antique-Chinese-wood-carving of an enlightened Buddhist attendant on a double lotus base that was commissioned by the proud father to celebrate and bless a marriage as indicated by the inscription on the rear 陈门李氏双全 that indicates that it belonged to the Lee family. Although its meaning is not entirely clear, it appears to…
Attendants like this often accompanied Taoist figures on home altars, along with other deities and spiritual images. They frequently presented offerings to them which, when tied with ribbons, symbolized “ longevity for generations”. This 18-19th century carving may have accompanied a significant deity as the statue was covered in gilt and lacquer, some which has naturally darkened from age and from years of incense, age and use.
Nandi is among the most frequent Hindu deities worshiped in public places, temples, homes, or on a home altar throughout India. As one of Hinduism’s mythical animals, Nandi is Shiva’s vahana, (his mount that transports him), attendant and leader of his attendants and guardian of all four-footed animals. A recumbent image of Nandi on a…
This small antique brass Nandi is exquisitely handcrafted with a wonderfully aged patina. He sits recumbent on a raised rectangular platform. Delicately incised with decorative details delineating the head, neck, snout and body, his right leg and tail are sinuous, graceful ornaments rather than defining features. His head is at a 45-degree with lyrically curved horns in contrast to most versions with horns extending backwards. This Nandi is based on a South Indian cow whose humpback is emphasized here by two parallel lines covering it as if is part of a saddle or another ornament feature.
Dressed in a red robe with a high neck collar, extremely wide sleeves extending below the knees and a belt around his waist, this ancestor figure portrayed as a civilian official standing on a rectangular base with hands together wearing a long civil official’s robe that extends to his shoes but has no rank badge indicated.
Statues of attendants often appear as a pair looking inward and flanking a deity, unless they are very important ones and look straight ahead. They may carry a range of offerings. This antique Chinese woodcarving appears to be a Taoist image likely placed on a home altar along with deities, house gods and ancestors to…
In China a set of earthenware Zodiac attendant figures was made as a 12 piece grouping, with each figure holding a small calendar animal with each year represented by a different animal – rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, dragon, snake, horse, goat, monkey, rooster, dog, and pig or boar – in a repeating 12-year cycle. Although…
This unique pair of attendants was likely placed on a home altar flanking and looking slightly inward to a Buddhist or Taoist figure or deity. Standing on circular pedestals, they smile slightly with down cast eyes presenting boxed offerings. One box has ribbons symbolizing the object’s miraculous powers and a wish for longevity. Rare to find pairs of charming figurines, they look even better on custom frosted Acrylic stands.
This fine set of three elegant Ming dynasty attendants—one male and two female—are in a unique category of refinement and elegance that reflects the importance and high status of the tomb, the deceased and the family for which they were made. Standing on hexagonal bases with arms folded below their chests and presenting offerings to the deceased, their clothing and parts of the bases have a rare cobalt blue glaze. (Two have yellow glazed areas and all have painted unglazed areas.) Their removable heads are highly detailed and beautifully modeled fitting inside high collars. These figures are presented and sold as a remarkable set reflecting their original presentation and condition.
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