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.
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This delicately carved Theravada Lao Buddha from the latter part of the 2nd Classic Period (1827-1893) in Northern Laos reflects many of the artistic traditions of the Lao Golden Age (1520-1777). The unique Lao interpretations of the lakshanas (“auspicious marks” of the Buddha)are seen in this statue: egg-shaped head and face, golden skin, eyebrows like…
Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion, is one of the most beloved Mahayana Buddhist deities, the embodiment of loving-kindness who hears the cries of all beings, and who is one of the Great Chinese Goddesses – who are compassionate protectors who grant health, long life and safety to all devotees regardless of their social position. During…
This elegant antique-Chinese-carving of Nanhai Guanyin is from the late Ming and early Qing Dynasties. She sits on a round pedestal a rock at the entrance to her Cave of Tidal Sound on the island of Mount Putuo, represented by the arched overhead covering and the rough indentations symbolizing the bottom of the cave. She…
A hsun ok is a graceful, lidded lacquer vessel used in Theravada Buddhism in Burma/Myanmar by devotees to carry offerings for monks to monasteries or temples to “make merit” toward Buddhist enlightenment. Filled with items such as rice, fruit, boiled eggs, and other gifts, they are traditionally carried by women who place them in altars…
A Buddha-statue or painting is called in Sanskrit Buddharupa meaning “the form of an Enlightened One.” This one from Burma/Myanmar portrays the historical Shakyamuni-Buddha sitting in bhumisparsha (Sanskrit for the Earth Touching mudra) which shows his inner strength at the moment of his enlightenment and is one of the most common poses used for Burmese…
A hsun ok is a spiritual vessel used in Theravada Buddhism by families to carry food and other offerings to monks in monasteries or temples and, in the past, to members of the royal family. These spiritual acts are to gain merit: good deeds that improve one’s life and inner self and attract other positive…
Although this fine necklace is contemporary-jewelry, we consider it part of the VA Barry Brinker Vintage Collection with pieces made in the 1990s when his necklaces and other creations combined 950 silver with antiquities or antiques, unique artifacts, gemstones, rare natural pearls and other treasures acquired during his travels. With his unique training in architecture,…
This lovely 20th century Thai bronze statue is Guanyin, Goddess of Infinite Mercy and Compassion who hears the cries of the oppressed. She sits in meditation (dhyana mudra) hands in the lap holding her sacred vase containing amitra the sacred dew of compassion, healing and immortality that represents humanities’ tears and her the never ending…
This fine gilt and lacquer Nanhai Guanyin of the South Seas creates an aura of serenity, peace and radiance. She sits in meditation (dhyana mudra) hands in her lap, legs in lotus position (padmasana) under her flowing 3-part robe. Her high bun is behind a 5-lobed crown with the 5 Dhyani Buddhas of Wisdom, three…
This Nanhai Guanyin sits on a rocky outcrop with stylized draped moss below her rounded robe. In pensive meditation – hands in dhyana mudra with thumbs touching and covered legs in padmasana – she gazes down with half closed eyes Her finely carved face is framed with hair looped over her pendulous ears signifying her…
Nanhai Guanyin of the South Sea was one of the most popular Mahayana Pure Land manifestations of this Bodhisattva in the late Ming and Early Qing Dynasties. Nanhai Guanyin and other Buddhist statues at this time where syncretic, blended in form and tradition and appearing everywhere in Buddhist, Taoist and Popular Religion Guanyin Temples, village,…
This extraordinary rare piece is a special Chinese Popular Religion image of a Buddhist bodhisattva seated atop a round lotus throne with five arched and pointed petals atop a recumbent ox. It is a variant of Guanyin sitting in a typical posture with one leg up and the other bent in the position of royal…
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