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.

  • Sale! Antique Nanhai Guanyin with Vase and Parrot, China (16246)

    Antique Nanhai Guanyin with Vase and Parrot, China (16246)

    Original price was: $1,450.00.Current price is: $1,150.00.
    H: 15.5″ W: 6″ D: 5.25″ | CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL VANISHINGARTS213@GMAIL/COM for shipping information

    Elegant Guanyin in meditation, gilt covered with five-lobed crown. Sacred vial on her right and parrot on left. Guanyins statues with symbols in this condition are rare and impart a feeling of serenity to the environment around them.

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  • Sale! Antique Official Holding His Belt of Office, China, 18th Century, #16470BKE

    Antique Official Holding His Belt of Office, China, 18th Century, #16470BKE

    Original price was: $535.00.Current price is: $395.00.
    H: 10.3″ W: 6″ D: 3.5″ | FREE SHIPPING IN CONTINENTAL US!

    This  ancestor statue emphasizes his status as an official. official’s pose holding us his belt of office, official’s hat and boots, worn only by those who could afford them. high on his forehead which also represents his officialdom, as the word “hat” (guan) is a homophone of the word “official.” The inscriptions on the back of the chair which are too faded to read indicate it was consecrated and probably were a dedication from the family who commissioned  it to placed on the home altar.

  • Sale! Antique Official in Red Robes with a Hu Tablet, China #16851BOK

    Antique Official in Red Robes with a Hu Tablet, China #16851BOK

    Original price was: $875.00.Current price is: $475.00.
    H:  15.5″    W: 6.125 ” 4.125   D:  ”    |  FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This carved ancestor figure portrayed as an official sits on a backless chair with a decorative pedestal in official’s attire: a high collared red robe, double belt above and below his ample stomach and holding a long slender curved hu-tablet,  all signs of his office and status. He is vibrantly painted in red, the color of fu, as a wish for prosperity and status.

  • Antique Official Showing His Belt of Office (19047LHE) SPECIAL PRICE

    Antique Official Showing His Belt of Office (19047LHE) SPECIAL PRICE

    $985.00
    H: 15″ W: 6.5″ D: 5.5″  | EMAIL [email protected] OR CALL 213-568-3030 FOR SHIPPING COST

    This excellently carved civilian official with gilt highlights was commissioned by a family to place on a home altar for veneration and to impress those who viewed it. The imposing ancestor figure grasps his belt of office to show his pride in passing examinations to become a civil official, which leads to a life of rank and prosperity for him and his family. Statues like this are an affirmation of persistence, success, status and power and they honor those who display these characteristics.

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  • Sale! Antique Queen Mother of the West Casting Out Demons, China (16093)

    Antique Queen Mother of the West Casting Out Demons, China (16093)

    Original price was: $585.00.Current price is: $395.00.
    H: 11.5″   W:  5.3″  D: 4.2″    |      FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    Provincial carving with iconic phoenix headdress, hands in karana mudra to cast out demons, negative energy and purify  spaces. Image  was on home altar and consecrated with a sealed cover.

  • Sale! Antique Queen Mother of the West on Horse and Elixir Bowl, China (16297)

    Antique Queen Mother of the West on Horse and Elixir Bowl, China (16297)

    Original price was: $3,750.00.Current price is: $2,900.00.
    H:  22″    W: 8.75″    D: 10″    |  CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL [email protected] FOR SHIPPING.

    Rare Queen Mother on horseback symbolize harmony with nature, magnificent headdress with phoenix, holds elixir of immortality cup granting eternal life.

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  • Sale! Antique Queen Mother of the West on Horse, China (16138)

    Antique Queen Mother of the West on Horse, China (16138)

    Original price was: $625.00.Current price is: $495.00.
    H: 14.75″   W: 5.25″ D: 6.8″     |      FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    By making the Queen Mother larger than her horse and adorning it with decorative accessories – wide blanket,  prominent head gear, double rowed harness, decorative medallion –  this provincial artist emphasizes her power as Tao goddess of life, fertility and granting immortality.

     

     

  • Sale! Antique Queen Mother of the West, China (16142)

    Antique Queen Mother of the West, China (16142)

    Original price was: $525.00.Current price is: $295.00.
    H:  11.25″  W:  4.6″  |  3.25″   FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    Dense hardwood Queen Mother carving with phoenix in crown, holding robe across body, calmly seated on backless throne, much original polychrome and  lacquer finish remains. Sealed consecrated cavity.

  • Sale! Antique Rare Carving of a Huntsman with Rifle, China 16743WHK

    Antique Rare Carving of a Huntsman with Rifle, China 16743WHK

    Original price was: $315.00.Current price is: $275.00.
    H: 9 ”    W:  3.625″    D: 3.5 ”    |  FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This ancestor figure of a huntsman in the round is unique, standing on a  domed pedestal, facing half right holding a flint lock, wearing a hunting coat, a two-level hat,  traditional under- and outer-garment, and thick boots. As the noted scholar on Chinese wood carvings stated, a similar figure like this “unusual and extraordinary ancestral image of a huntsman with a flintlock gun, was the only ancestral image in his vast collection which “depicts the calling of the deceased.”

  • Sale! Antique Rare Large Buddha in Teaching Mudra, China (17013)

    Antique Rare Large Buddha in Teaching Mudra, China (17013)

    Original price was: $4,500.00.Current price is: $3,300.00.
    H: 30″  W: 18″  D: 10″ |  |  CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL [email protected] FOR SHIPPING.

    Superb, colorful and rare Buddha in teaching (vitarka)  mudra appears to float above swirling cloud. Fine features, graceful body and exquisitely rendered drapery make this a truly striking statue. Given its size and masterful carving, it should be revered commensurate with its spirituality and artistry.

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  • Sale! Antique Rare White Robed Guanyin on a Hǒu, China (16936)

    Antique Rare White Robed Guanyin on a Hǒu, China (16936)

    Original price was: $725.00.Current price is: $585.00.
    H: 15.125”  W: 6”  D: 5”    |   FREE SHIPPING within Continental U.S.

    Rare provincial carving of Guanyin in lalitsana clasping a rosary on a mythical Hǒu that symbolizes righteousness, morality and ushers in peace and prosperity. Small yet powerful, consecrated and mounted on Acrylic base.

  • Sale! Antique Shen Nong, Founder of Natural Medicine, China (16530)

    Antique Shen Nong, Founder of Natural Medicine, China (16530)

    Original price was: $4,600.00.Current price is: $3,900.00.
    H:  30.5″     W: 19.25″      D:  11.75     |  CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL [email protected] FOR SHIPPING

    Masterful carving of Shen Nong, revered hero and reputed father of both Natural Medicine and Agriculture. Benevolent, sitting on cloud, leaves on shoulders. One of 3 sovereigns who contributed to well-being of humanity. Especially fitting for health care, pharmaceutical or agricultural professional or associated with tea.

     

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