Aureole

An aureole is a luminous or colored ring, circle of light or halo that surrounds the head or body of deity, holy person or saint in a painting or sculpture that represent his/her divinity and saintliness as an enlightened being and also the divine energy emanating from the deity. Referred to as an aura or glow of sanctity it is a radiant light or luminous cloud encircling a sacred personage. According to Buddhist sutras, Buddha’s body shone with a great radiance that filled the world that is shown in artistic representation as an aura of light which in Tibetan and Nepalese Buddhism is called a prabhamandala and is depicted as circles of light. Aureoles can be in several forms, such as lotus shaped or a fiery protuberance arising from the head in sculptures of the Buddha that is sometimes referred to as the flame aureole – a light burning with spiritual intensity. Hindu deities such as Ganesha may be represented with an aureole.

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  • Antique Carved Buddha in Freedom from Fear, Laos (3148LKE) $1275

    $1,275.00
    H: 20”  W: 3.75”  D: 3.75” | CALL 213-568-3030 FOR SHIPPING

    This antique Lao Buddha stands in refined dignity displaying inner tranquility and strength, hands in abhaya mudra that connotes reassurance, divine protection, and dispelling fear and signifies Buddha’s spiritual power as he bestows protection from evil and ignorance and conveys “fear not” to devotees.  As typical of Lao Buddhas he is covered in gilt visually reflecting his golden skin and a finial or radiance as a flame emerging from atop his head. His  wet style Buddha robe that is smooth and graceful in its simplicity and adds elegance to the carving while showing his body underneath his clothing.

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    Antique Guanyin Held Up by Demons, China (16208VRKE) SPECIAL PRICE

    Original price was: $5,200.00.Current price is: $3,700.00.
    H: 45″ W: 17.75″  D: 11.5″ |CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL [email protected] FOR SHIPPING COST

    This outstanding rare Guanyin carving is a wonderful blend of Mahayana and Tantric (Tibetan) Buddhism and provincial Popular Religion folk traditions. Seated on a lotus above a hexagonal throne, right hand in abhaya protection mudra, her lobed crown is centered with  Amitabha Buddha inside an aureole. The four agonized creatures struggling to hold calm Guanyin on their shoulders is a Tantric symbol of  triumph of Buddhism over ignorance.  With admonitions about greed, aversion and ignorance it is a great metaphor for our times. 

     

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    Antique Large Guanyin on Lotus Throne, China (16211RKE) SPECIAL PRICE

    Original price was: $4,750.00.Current price is: $3,900.00.
    H: 31.75”  W: 11.25”  D: 6.5” | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT [email protected] or 213-568-3030

    This extraordinary Guanyin originates from rural provincial less literate China.  Not made in a sophisticated “imperial” style, its great charm depends on straightforward forms in bright and decorative color combinations.  Her oversized crown contains a framed Amitabha Buddha. Using vibrant unusual multi-colored color combinations, an informal sitting position, simplified, almost geometric shapes for the head and facial features and bright modest robes, she  reflects a humble folk art image accessible to rural devotees. Its size indicates it was carved for a large home, clan or community temple.

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  • Antique Massive Lacquered Guanyin in Vitarka, China (5689SEME) CALL FOR PRICE

    H: 42”  W: 25”  D: 27.5” | FOR PRICE AND SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    This powerful, exquisite and rare almost life-size Guanyin seated in teaching mudra to spread the dharma, radiates serene spiritual energy. To optimally enjoy this statue, she should be placed in an elevated position as it was modeled to be viewed from below. Magnificently carved and covered with lacquer, this statue will fill any environment with meditative tranquility.  Authentic Buddhist carved images of this size, beauty, quality, and shape are very difficult to find, especially after China’s modernization.

     

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    Antique Nanhai Guanyin with Attendants and Donor, China (16210BEME) $5900 SPECIAL PRICE

    Original price was: $5,900.00.Current price is: $4,950.00.
     H: 34″ W: 12″ D: 15″  |  Call us at 213-568-3030 for SHIPPING Quote or email us at [email protected]

    Guanyin clearly dominates this majestic carving sitting in meditation. She wears  an ornate high  blue crown centered with an Amitabha Buddha in a deep arched border topped by flat lotus leaves. This remarkable Nanhai Guanyin  is extremely rare, unique and difficult to interpret as it is so rare and unusual. We have never seen a Guanyin in her cave at Putuo surrounded by with two pairs of attendants that include her acolytes Shan Tsai  and the Dragon Princess Longnu and a seated Taoist official/priest or possible the donor at the apex.  This was likely commissioned by a very wealthy donor who wished to make a spiritual statement while also emphasizing his reverence and status.

     

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  • Antique Repoussé Earth Witnessing Buddha, Tibetan (0001LEM) $595

    $595.00
    H: 5.5”  W: 4.625”  D: 2” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This wonderful gilt metal antique Tibetan repoussé image portrays Buddha in earth witnessing mudra (hand touching position) under a triple aureole trefoil arch  surrounding the Buddha’s head and body that symbolizes the flames of Buddhism at the moment of his enlightenment. Mounted on an L-shaped wood stand, it is in excellent condition. This 17th century Tibetan work was decommissioned and subsequently purchased from the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

  • Antique Repoussé Vishnu Votive Plaque, India (5174A-TAK) $250

    $250.00
    H: 7.5”  W: 5.75”  D: 2.5” | FREE SHIPPING IN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This antique repoussé votive plaque portrays the Hindu deity Vishnu, the Protector of the Universe with a double aureole holding the conch shell he uses to make the om (aum) sound that embodies divine energy and is considered to be the sound of the universe which encompasses all sounds within it. He wears a crown representing his supreme power and earrings signifying  the dual nature of creation. The lotus next to him and the lotus leaves of his throne symbolize purity, truth, and the unfolding of creation. Mounted on a unique frosted acrylic base.

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    Antique Wood Guanyin in Meditation, China (16955BME) SPECIAL PRICE

    Original price was: $425.00.Current price is: $330.00.
    H: 9.75″ W: 5.625″ D: 3.75″ | FREE SHIPPING within continental u.s.!

    In this provincial carving made for personal use, Guanyin the Bodhisattva of Compassion who hears the cries of all beings, sits in meditation with flowing robes, eyes half closed, a round face and a slight smile. She is the embodiment of  loving-kindness. Her 5-lobed crown is centered with radiating lines symbolizing the aureole of the Amitabha Buddha of Infinite Light.

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    Rare Antique Three-Faced Tantric Bodhisattva, China (16200LBEM) SPECIAL PRICE

    Original price was: $4,200.00.Current price is: $3,500.00.

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    H: 29.5″ W:14″ D: 6.5″ CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL [email protected] FOR SHIPPING COST

    This carving is probably Chun-ti P’u-sa, a tantric female deity called the Bodhisattva of Light, worshipped by Chinese Chan (Zen) Buddhists as a merciful Bodhisattva. In tantric style she has three faces, multiple arms and six hands, and an elegant lobed crown centered by Amitabha, as does Guanyin.  This is an extremely rare and important piece and is as lovely as it is spiritual.

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  • SOLD Antique Carved Guanyin on Lotus Pedestal, China (16206B-WACK)

    $1,375.00
    SOLD  H: 23.25″  W: 9.25″  D: 6.25″

    This Guanyin image was probably one of a pair of images along with the Taoist Queen Mother of the West (16206A-WACK) placed together on a community, local temple or home altar.  Created by the same local artisan, they are provincial rather than imperial style having a humble, unadorned and simple rendering, seated on backless thrones, hands covered by a ritual cloth, uncharacteristic of Guanyin but common for Taoist goddesses. Both wear layered robes and a high pointed crown – the Queen Mother’s centered by a phoenix and Guanyin’s by a flower surrounded by symbolic aureole of radiating light. Both have soft blissful smiles with eyes cast slightly downwards to engage their devotees. Initially covered in bright polychrome colors, there are traces of surviving red, yellow, green, brown and black.

  • SOLD Vintage Earth Witnessing Buddha, Laos (3185A- ELO) $295

    $295.00
    H: 9”  W: 4.25  D: 3.125” | FREE SHIPPING

    This mid 20th century Buddha Shakyamuni in Earth Witnessing position is carved in rural Lao style. Covered with gilt, the small rustic and simply carved image follows Lao artistic canons for depicting a Buddha: a curved hairline and high arched eyebrows that meet at the bridge of the nose, distinct hair curls, long ears, and a flame-shaped radiance emerging from his ushnisha. Its very large base is as tall and wide as the image, reflecting Laotian beliefs that a high pedestal reflects a deep respect for the Buddha. A base has been added for display purposes.  Authentic old Lao images, even small personal ones like this, are difficult to find.

  • Vintage Brass Buddha with Aureole, Nepal (30611LEM) $790

    $790.00
    H: 25.5”  W: 11”  D: 6.5” | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    This fine vintage brass Buddha Shakyamuni sculpture reflects characteristics of unique Nepalese style. With both hands in teaching mudra, wearing in the “wet style” monks robe, he stands with similar to a contrapposto posture, weight supported on a single leg suggesting movement.  His elaborate regal pedestal has a removable aureole with  wheel of the dharma above two Buddhist protective lions. This piece is elegant in its simplicity and expresses the Buddha’s refined and restrained meditative spirituality.

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