Buddhist art includes statues, paintings and ritual items associated with Buddhism. Buddhists have used painted and carved images of enlightened beings including Buddhas, Guanyin, Bodhisattvas, Lohans, monks and other deities, attendants and acolytes for nearly two millennia to show devotees how Truth can be found within oneself through meditation and spiritual training. Statues of the Buddha and other enlightened beings are placed in temples, monasteries or home shrines as a reminder of the spiritual potential inherent within all of us to awaken to the Truth as the Buddha, a fellow human being, did. When one pays reverence to Buddhist images, they are not worshipping the image, rather the image reminds them of the great compassion of the Enlightened Ones who have taught them the way to liberation.
Showing 1–12 of 73 results
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…
A stupa is a memorial shrine and a sacred burial mound to house sacred relics associated with the Buddha or other Buddhist saintly persons, a symbol of the Buddha’s enlightenment and a model of the Buddhist cosmos (McArthur, p. 179). Initially they were hemispherical mound-like shapes and were transformed in East Asia into a pagoda…
This rare carving of the infant Buddha with well defined features is clearly a provincial rendering that uniquely departs from traditional renderings. He holds a monk’s begging bowl as he points to the heavens and he stands on a lion’s head, as he is the lion of the Shakya clan. Given its small size, it was probably displayed on a home altar.
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.
This very fine pair of antique carved males fu lions represents the dual nature of these mythical animals: as protective images they are powerful and fierce, as Buddhist images they are whimsical with smiling faces, dangling tongues, hanging ears and bushy tails. They are extremely well carved with harnesses and bells around their necks, detailed manes and tails on high intricately decorated bases to signal their importance. Perfect for enhancing feng shui in a home or office, large finely decorative wood pairs like this are extremely hard to find.
This small antique-Chinese-wood-carving represents Mazu, which translates as “Mother Ancestor,” the tutelary deity “Protector of the Sea” who protects seafarers and is very popular among Taiwanese, Fujianese, and Cantonese sea cultures. This syncretic cult figure is the most imortant ofthe female Taoist-Deities and continues to be worshipped by Taoist, Buddhist and Popular Religion followers. In…
This rare, sensitive and beautifully carved image probably depicts Guanyin the Bodhisattva of Compassion holding a young child’s hand glancing down with compassion and tenderness while he looks up for assurance and protection. This unique provincial Popular Religion carving depicts her as humble, engaging and modestly clad with a serene softness. It is similar to but different from Songzi Guanyin, the “Child-Giving Guanyin” to whom couples pray to become fertile and to bear a son.
This antique carving is a magnificent example of fine provincial Buddhist statues made by local artisans. This serene exquisitely carved Guanyin sits on a detached pedestal base in meditation. Made to be seen in the round, she wears a traditional three part garment with delicate incised leaves and leaf motifs on the front, back, and sleeves. Her gentle, sweet face is soft and has a peaceful and calming half smile. Her high pointed crown depicts the Five Tantric Dhyani Buddhas, which which are rarely seen in provincial Guanyin images.
Buddhist statues like this Guanyin held up by 4 grotesque creatures in the realms of hell warn us to be more diligent in our spiritual efforts and actions. Demons do not remain demons forever and remind us that people, like demons, can change in their constant transition toward enlightenment. Not harmful, demons are just obstacles – greed, aversion, and ignorance – that we must respect and overcome through good deeds and thoughts,
Guanyin sits on an elaborate lotus throne held up by 9 lotuses, 8 with long stem and 1 with flat leaves. Only enlightened beings sit on a lotus, the Buddhist symbol of purity and the potential for all beings to achieve enlightenment and a 5-lobed crown reflecting her stature as Buddhist royalty,
Placed on a lotus throne that is used only for Buddhas or bodhisattvas, this white clad Guanyin sits in lalitsana, the position of royal ease symbolizing her regal status as presider over both the material the spiritual worlds. Her hands are in karana mudra, the Taoist gesture to expel evil, remove problems and rid sickness or other negativities rarely used for Guanyin. Mounted on an acrylilc.
End of content
End of content