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 13–24 of 62 results

  • Sale!

    Antique Guanyin in Royal Ease (Lalitsana), China, #16910BOE

    Original price was: $525.00.Current price is: $450.00.
    H: 10.75″   W: 5.5″   D:  4.5″  |  FREE SHIPPING IN CONTINENTAL US!

    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.

  • Sale!

    Antique Guanyin on Elaborate Throne, CHINA #19536BKE

    Original price was: $695.00.Current price is: $495.00.
    H: 14.5” W: 5.5” D: 4.25” | FREE SHIPPING within continental u.s.!

    Guanyin’s elegance, compassion and serenity are emphasized in this graceful antique provincial carving. Portrayed in meditation with flowing robes on a majestic three-tiered lotus throne she was designed for personal veneration in a home setting.

  • Sale!

    Antique Guanyin with Amitabha in Crown, China #16380B-LOK

    Original price was: $1,300.00.Current price is: $750.00.
    H: 13.75”  W: 7”  D: 4.5” | CALL 213-568-3030 or email [email protected] for shipping

    This  delicately detailed Guanyin statue in meditation on a two-tiered backless throne has flowing braids, simple necklace, and voluminous robes indicating her regal status, while her pendulous ears, compassionate downcast eyes, serene contemplative expression, and calm smile symbolize her enlightened status. The image’s distinguishing feature is its deeply carved three-part diadem (crown) centered with a carved Amitabha Buddha on lotus throne surrounded by an aureole.

     

  • Sale!

    Antique Guanyin with Crown in Meditation, China #16467PRK

    Original price was: $535.00.Current price is: $395.00.
    Ht: 10.5”  W: 5.5”  D: 4” | FREE SHIPPING in continental u.s.!

    Guanyin is portrayed in this gilt and lacquer carving seated on a lotus with her hands in the lap in meditation mudra  atop a decorative footed stand in elegantly draped robes. In this regal form, she wears a 5-lobe crown with a cross hatch design in the center while her hair rests atop her head in a bun encircled within the crown.

  • Sale!

    Antique Guanyin with Lobed Crown, China #16151LME

    Original price was: $475.00.Current price is: $300.00.
    H: 11.6 ”    W: 5.3 ”    D: 4.25 ”    |  FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This provincial Guanyin made for a home altar sits in anjali mudra. Portrayed as a humble, approachable figure, she wears a 5-lobed diadem, hair in a chignon, braids draping down her shoulders, and a modest robe. She sits on a unique footed lotus throne of stacked lotuses, the Buddhist symbol of purity, flowering of the mind, and freedom from the world’s darkness.

  • Sale!

    Antique Guanyin with Lobed Crown, China 16744WHK

    Original price was: $395.00.Current price is: $295.00.
    H: 8.25″ W: 4.5″ D: 3″  | FREE SHIPPING within continental u.s.!

    The delicately carved antique Guanyin sits in meditation. Masterful yet simple, this provincial image brings quiet energy to its surroundings and imparts a sense of serenity and peace.

  • Sale!

    Antique Home Altar Mazu, Protector of the Sea, China #19013ZRK

    Original price was: $425.00.Current price is: $325.00.
    H: 9” W: 6.525” D: 2.5 | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    This home devotional image, finely carved in the round, represents Mazu, the most revered Taoist female deity in coastal areas in mainland China, Taiwan and Vietnam. She sits in a traditional deity pose, hands covered by a ritual cloth with a space to hold a hu tablet on a plain armless high back chair. She is a provincial matronly figure, eyes calmly cast down and dressed in humble attire with characteristically small feet, a hanging red sash, and a modest hat with a flat phoenix.

  • Antique Home Altar Queen Mother of the West, China (16035TSK) $395

    $395.00

    As a syncretic Taoist deity, the Queen Mother of the West has a huge cult following among Taoist, Buddhist and folk religion devotees revered for her powers to control life and death and to determine the life span of all living beings. Irvin calls her one of the Great Chinese Goddesses who are all imperially…

  • Sale!

    Antique Imperial Mazu, Empress of Heaven, China #16348XSKE

    Original price was: $3,250.00.Current price is: $2,200.00.

    H: 31.5″    W: 16.25″    D: 10.5″   |  CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL [email protected] FOR SHIPPING.

    This vibrant antique of Mazu portrays her as a sanctioned goddess with many honorific titles revered in coastal regions throughout China and in Taiwan. She wears a ceremonial Empress headdress with a phoenix, an official’s waist girdle and elaborate robes laced with bright and shinning inset glass jewels which allow her to be seen at sea by sailors needing her assistance. Such authentic images are rare in the market

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    Antique Kitchen God and His Wife 16850D-BME

    Original price was: $695.00.Current price is: $450.00.
    H: 7.25 ”    W: 3 ”    D: 1.625 ”    |  FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This fine pair of the Kitchen God and his wife are mirror-images of each other seated on backless chairs with multi-sided pedestals and reflect the reverence and solemnity of their responsibility to live above the stove and protect the home. The original lacquer has darkened naturally over time and from exposure to candle and incense smoke leaving a soft patina. The cavity on the male has its original covering while the one on the female is missing, exposing contents inside – a  string tied around the script placed by a monk when it was consecrated. Kitchen Gods radiate warmth, especially when placed near the  stove and make unique house warming or wedding gifts and add positive chi to any household.

  • Antique Kitchen God and His Wife, China (16850H-BME) SPECIAL PRICE

    $785.00
    H: 7.75″  W: 3.25″  D: 2.375″ | free shipping within Continental U.S.!

    Finely detailed and carved from dense wood, this Kitchen God and his Wife monitor the members of the home from their perch above the stove. On Chinese New Year Zao Shen reports to the Jade Emperor in Heaven and a positive report bringsblessings and good fortune, while and unfavorable one brings misfortune. Family members often smear honey on his mouth to sweeten the report.  Near mirror images they wear layered gold officials’ robes with decorative sashes and symbolically hold a hu tablet. They are in excellent condition and add positive chi and enhance feng shui. Kitchen Gods especially pairs are now rare and very collectible and make unique wedding and house gifts.

     

  • Sale!

    Antique Kitchen God and his Wife, China #16850E-BME

    Original price was: $695.00.Current price is: $475.00.
    H: 7.75 ”    W: 2.875  ”    D: 1.875 ”    |  FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This husband and wife Kitchen Gods are near mirror images with similar layered gold officials’ robes clasped hands covered in ritual cloth. They portray house gods whose future of families are in their hands. They are in excellent condition with fine patinas and both have been consecrated with the consecration script remaining in the wife’s cavity but not in the male’s cavity.

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