Attendants

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.

Showing 1–12 of 15 results

  • Sale!

    Antique Attendant Sword Bearer to Guandi, God of War, China (16112LSE)

    Original price was: $950.00.Current price is: $807.50.
    H: 23.25”  W: 11.5”  D: 7.75”   |  CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL [email protected] FOR SHIPPING COST

    This rare fine woodcarving represents Chou Ts’ang, the aide-de-camp to Guandi, the most revered military hero in Chinese history. Portrayed with black skin tones wearing a military uniform with raised beads, heavy military boots and hat he exhibits and air of authority. His downcast inset glass eyes represent his respect to his general while his left foot is forward ready to spring into action. The closed back cavity shows it was consecrated by a priest and the indentation in his pedestal indicates it possibly was affixed to a larger configuration. A great gift for a military aficionado.

     

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    Antique Attendant to Guandi, Taoist God of War, China (16022LSE) $695

    Original price was: $695.00.Current price is: $590.75.
    H: 16.25:  W: 5.875”  D: 3.5” | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    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.

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    Antique Attendant with Celestial Scarf, China (16726HKE) $2450

    Original price was: $2,450.00.Current price is: $2,082.50.
    H: 25” W: 7.5” D: 6” | FOR SHIPPING QUOTATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL US AT [email protected]

    This lovely carving of a beautiful young woman represents an attendant that would have been housed in a wealthy home or a community shrine to accompany an enlightened Buddhist or Taoist figure at whom she modestly gazes. Her hands, covered by a draped ritual cloth, extend to hold offerings and the swirling ribbon implies her power, weightlessness or being in the heavens. This truly elegant and forceful statue has winding ribbons reflecting the auspicious phrase  “May longevity bring blessings.” Its lustrous patina adds to its depth, softness and grace which enhance the energy in any space it occupies. 

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    Antique Attendant with Marriage Inscription, China (16260ZOK) SPECIAL PRICE

    Original price was: $485.00.Current price is: $412.25.
    H: 7.5”  W: 3”  D: 2.75” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This precious finely-carved diminutive figurine is an enlightened Buddhist attendant who stands on a double lotus base used only for enlightened beings as part of an array of images to bless the family for a special occasion – the marriage of a son or daughter as indicated by the inscription on the back. With hands in reverence her eyes glance down down modestly with dellight for the figure she attends and the joyous occasion .  The skillful modeling of the image and the detailed inscription make this a very special piece.

     

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    Antique Attendant with Offering, China (16424A-BLE) SPECIAL PRICE

    Original price was: $435.00.Current price is: $369.75.
    H: 15.5″. W: 5.5″. D: 4.24″  | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    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.

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    Antique Brass Nandi, India (9509B-GAH) $155

    Original price was: $155.00.Current price is: $131.75.
    H: 3.5″  W: 1.75″  D: 2.5″ | FREE SHIPPING!

    This finely cast antique figurine with finely articulated features portrays Nandi with jewels sitting recumbent on a high-tiered throne. Kneeling in reverence to serve  Lord Shiva he is a symbol of purity and strength. Small figurines were placed on home shrines with other deities and significant family items. Made using lost wax   it is a one-of-a-kind piece

     

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    Antique Bronze/Brass Nandi, South India (9510VHE) $395

    Original price was: $395.00.Current price is: $335.75.
    H: 3.25”  W: 1.375”  D: 2.5” | FREE SHIPPING

    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.

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    Antique Carved Standing Ancestor Official, China (18017ESK) $425

    Original price was: $425.00.Current price is: $361.25.
    Ht: 8.25″  W: 3″  D: 2.125″ | FREE SHIPPING!

    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.

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    Antique Female Attendant with Offerings, China (19035BKE) SPECIAL PRICE

    Original price was: $595.00.Current price is: $505.75.
    H: 14”  W: 6.25  D: 3.5” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This delicately carved seated female attendant probably accompanied a religious image on a home altar. She holds an offering plate with three offerings of dumplings or pieces of fruit, possibly a peach trio which is a Chinese longevity symbol. A three-item offering is a also pun for a group of three ancient coins known as tael, a symbol of wealth and a wish for high status.

     

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    Antique Ming Attendant with Zodiac Animal, China (1155BCK)

    Original price was: $395.00.Current price is: $335.75.
    H: 7.375”  W: 2.75”  D: 2.5” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S!

    A group of 12 zodiac figures as mingqi sometimes accompanied the wealthy deceased in their tomb. This Ming dynasty earthenware figurine stands on a low circular base and wears an official’s hat and long flowing robes. It is difficult to identify the specific animal held here but it may be a rabbit, small dog or baby pig. The detailed figure is hollow and partially mould-made and unlike glazed mingqi, was covered with a white slip and painted using black and white pigments which are mostly extant.

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    Antique Pair of Attendants with Offerings, China (16242BLK) SPECIAL PRICE

    Original price was: $650.00.Current price is: $552.50.
    H: 7.75”  W: 3.5″  D: 3.5″ | FREE SHIPPING within continental U.S.!

    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.

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    Antique Rare Set of Ming Ceramic Attendants, China (3224ABC-BKEM) SPECIAL PRICE

    Original price was: $4,985.00.Current price is: $4,237.25.
    H: 17.875″  W: 4.875″  D: 4.75″ |CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL [email protected] FOR SHIPPING COST

    This brilliant set of three 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 that commissioned them. 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 for burial objcts, 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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