Consecrated

Many Chinese wood images have a hallowed-out cavity on their back which was central to an “eye opening” ceremony held to imbue each carving with its own life force. All Images – Buddhism, Taoist or Popular religion – had to be consecrated by a Taoist Priest, Buddhist Monk or spiritual leaders to be placed on a home altar and to protect all family members and domestic animals. The cavity was filled with ritual objects and may have included documents like favorite Buddhist sutras, Taoist poems or prayers, messages to ancestors, entreaties to deities, or a script by the presiding person describing the figure and when and by whom it was commissioned. The ceremony was attended by the artist, donor, relatives and friends, and other Taoist or Buddhist congregants. The cavity was sealed and eyes were painted to impart sight, the final component of life. Stevens states carvings were “respectfully presented to have its eyes opened before the Gods so that it. would be able to rid their dwelling of evil spirits and bring them blessings.”Most bungs and contents have been removed; we believe unopened ones should remain in difference to the spiritual traditional and history they represent.

Showing 1–12 of 63 results

  • Antique Ancestor Official in Ornate Robe with Raised Lacquer Designs (5686BREM)

    $4,950.00
    H: 23.5″  W: 15.625″  D: 10″ |  CALL US AT 213-568-3030 for SHIPPING and Price INFORMATION

    This exceptional Qing carving portrays a seated official ancestor wearing  traditional official’s clothing, a red and black official’s hat and black boots. His inset glass eyes and high cheekbones frame a large curved nose, a strong projecting chin and forehead wrinkles indicating a man of importance with the wisdom of age who demands respect. The top two robe layers have wide borders with marvelous raised lacquer decorations that include beautiful cloud forms, flying phoenixes with spread wings and floral sprays.

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  • 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 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 Carved Wood Taoist Priest, China (16157ERK) $350

    $350.00
    H: 9.25”  W: 4.5”  D: 3.25” | FREE SHIPPING

    This well carved image probably is a Taoist official that was placed on a home altar along with other religious and ancestral carvings to summon good wishes and energy and ward off malevolent forces. His high status and importance as a Taoist official are affirmed by his static pose, solemn face, official’s robes and refined hat and the red and gilt pigmentation covering the front and back.

  • Antique Carving of Guanyin with a Child, China (5301HEM ) $2,250

    $2,250.00
    Ht: 26”  W: 10.25” D: 7.5″ | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    This rare, sensitive and beautifully carved image probably depicts Guanyin the Bodhisattva of Compassion and Mercy holding a young child’s hand glancing down with compassion and tenderness while he looks up at her 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.

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  • Antique Carving of Taoist Fertility Goddess Niangniang, China (17005LREM) CALL FOR PRICE

    H: 43″  W: 15″  D 9.75″ |  CALL US AT 213-568-3030 FOR SHIPPING AND PRICE INFORMATION

    This large exceptionally impressive carving is the Taoist fertility goddess Niangniang, “The Maiden Who Brings Children” often portrayed like  Songzi Guanyin  Created by a provincial artisan, she is charming, humble with beautiful features and three diminutive children and represented as an empress figure with Taoist attire. This is a rare and truly magnificent carving.

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  • Antique Civilian Official Ancestor Figure, China (16848BEM) $395

    $395.00
    H: 13.75″  W: 5.25″  D: 4″ | FREE SHIPPING!

    This ancestor figure, carved in boxwood the preferred wood softwood during the Qing Dynasty, is portrayed in the characteristic pose of a Chinese civilian official, grasping his official’s belt with his right hand to demonstrate his important stature – which was really not so important for this gentleman, given his humble seating furniture and his modest attire. His right hand rests on the his knee as he sits erect on a thick low-back pedestal. Unlike many officials who are serious, this one is more approachable, with simple deeply carved smiling features, high arching brows and a black painted mustache and beard.

     

  • 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 Guanyin Held Up by Demons, China (16208VRKE) $5800

    $5,800.00
    H: 45″ W: 17.75″  D: 11.5″ | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    This outstanding Guanyin wood carving is an extremely rare image and displays a wonderful earthy blend of Mahayana and Tantric (Tibetan) Buddhism and spiritual and folk traditions that resonated with provincial populations. She sits on a lotus above a hexagonal throne right raised in abhaya mudra, lobed crown is centered with the Amitabha Buddha inside an aureole. The four agonized creatures struggling to hold the calm Guanyin on their shoulders is a unique Tantric visual representation of the triumph of Buddhism over ignorance. Probably placed in a community shrine or Guanyin temple, the rear is unpainted as it was displayed high against a wall and foreshortened to be viewed from below. With its admonitions about greed, aversion and ignorance it is a great metaphor for our times. 

     

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  • Antique Guanyin in Meditation, China (16955BME) $425

    $425.00
    H: 9.75″  W: 5.625″  D: 3.75″ | FREE SHIPPING!

    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, half closed eyes, a round face and a slight smile, 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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