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.

Showing 1–12 of 15 results

  • Antique Attendant Sword Bearer to Guandi, God of War, China (16112LSE) $875

    $950.00
    H: 23.25”  W: 11.5”  D: 7.75” | CALL 213-568-3030 FOR SHIPPING

    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, he has an intense expression highlighted by inset glass eyes and wears a military uniform with raised beads bordering his topcoat tied above his waist, a belt below his stomach, and heavy black military boots and hat. The sword he originally held is now missing.  His plain round pedestal has an indentation in the middle, possibly to affix the figure to a larger configuration.

     

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  • Antique Attendant to Guandi, Taoist God of War, China (16022LSE) $850

    $850.00
    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

    $2,450.00
    H: 25”  W: 7.5”  D: 6” | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    This lovely carving of a beautiful young woman represents an attendant that would have been housed on a home altar or shrine to accompany an enlightened Buddhist or Taoist figure at whom she modestly gazes.  Her hands, covered by a draped ritual cloth, hold offerings and the swirling ribbon implying her power, weightlessness or being in the heavens. This truly elegant and forceful statue with winding ribbons reflect the auspicious phrase  “May longevity bring blessings.” Its lustrous patina attained over centuries 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) $485

    $485.00
    H: 7.5”  W: 3”  D: 2.75” | FREE SHIPPING!

    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.

     

  • Antique Attendant with Offering, China (16424A-BLE) $435

    $435.00
    H: 15.5″. W: 5.5″. D: 4.24″  | FREE SHIPPING!

    This well-carved figure represents an attendant that would have been on a home altar to accompany a Taoist figure. Standing on a tall pedestal with a slight smile and downcast eyes, he reaches across his chest to present a rounded box secured with a ribbon. He wears an official’s hat and boots, open waistcoat over an undergarment secured at the waist. The pointed inner panel of his lower garment has slightly flaring panels with incised carved decorations.  He is in very good condition with remains of the original lacquer and gilt which have naturally darkened from age and. from years of incense, age and use.

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

    $155.00
    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

     

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

    $395.00
    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.

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

    $425.00
    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.

  • Antique Female Attendant with Offerings, China (19035BKE) $595

    $595.00
    H: 14”  W: 6.25  D: 3.5” | FREE SHIPPING!

    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, Chinese longevity symbols. A three-item offering is a pun for a group of three ancient coins known as tael a symbol of wealth and a wish for high status.

     

  • Antique Ming Attendant with Zodiac Animal, China (1155BCK) $395

    $395.00
    H: 7.375”  W: 2.75”  D: 2.5” | FREE SHIPPING!

    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.

  • Antique Pair of Attendants with Offerings, China (16242BLK) $650

    $650.00
    H: 7”  Dia: 2.875″ | FREE SHIPPING!

    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 eyes cast down presenting boxed offerings. They wear voluminous robes with flaring sleeves and upward curving bottoms that defy gravity and an officials high hats and boots.  It is very rare to find pairs of charming figurines in excellent condition such as these.

  • Antique Rare Set of Ming Ceramic Attendants, China (3224ABC-BKEM) $4985

    $4,985.00
    H: 17.875″  W: 4.875″  D: 4.75″ | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    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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