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 37–48 of 61 results

  • Antique Official with Hu Tablet, China (14001ZSK) $395

    $395.00
    H: 14.25”  W: 5.5”  D: 4” | FREE SHIPPING!

    This unique and dense antique/vintage carving may represent the noted historical figure:  the principal regent Dorgon  of the first Qing Emperor Shunzhi who ruled from 1643-1650 as a”quasi” emperor based  on the four-character inscription that reads “Southern Holy Emperor.” He is presented wearing an impressive and detailed hat and coat holding a hu tablet characteristic of one standing before an emperor.

     

  • Antique Queen Mother of the West Casting Out Demons, China (16093BSK) $585

    $585.00
    H: 11.5”  W: 5.375”  D: 4.25” | FREE SHIPPING

    The Queen Mother of the West is one of the most significant Taoist female deities and a patron deity of woman who still pray to her on her birthday for health and longevity.This charming image sits on a backless throne with decorated pedestal, her iconic phoenix in her crown.  Her left hand is in karana mudra to cast out demons and negative energy. As it was consecrated it probably wasplaced on a home altar for personal devotion.

     

     

  • Antique Queen Mother of the West on Horse with Elixir Bowl, China (16297BLEM) $3750

    $3,750.00
    H:  22″  W: 8.25″  D:10″ | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    Given its size and quality, this rare and exquisite Queen Mother of the West probably was placed in a local temple or village/family clan setting. She is the Taoist deity who grants immortality, is the patron deity of women, controls the length of lives, and cultivates of virtue. This magnificent carving portrays her on a horse with a magnificent headdress centered by her iconic striking phoenix holding a cup with the elixir of immortality

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  • Antique Queen Mother of the West on Horse, China (16138BSE) $625

    $625.00
    H: 14.75”  W: 5.25”  D: 6.875” | FREE SHIPPING

    In this Queen Mother of the West (Xiwangmu) image, her significance as one of the most important and powerful Chinese goddesses is indicated by her large size in comparison to her regal horse adorned with a wide blanket, prominent headgear and a double-row harness with a decorative medallion. She wears her characteristic headdress with a phoenix and her  face is framed by abundant hair, pendulous ears and dangling earrings. Her right hand is up in a mudra called mushti , the fist “hand seal” by Taoists representing force, power and determination. She is worshipped today in China, Taiwan, Hong Kong and other overseas Chinese communities.

     

     

     

     

  • Antique Queen Mother of the West, China (16142BCK) $525

    $525.00
    H: 11.25”  W: 4.625”  D: 3.25” | FREE SHIPPING!

    This provincial carving is the  Queen Mother of the West, the most powerful female Taoist deity who is associated with all aspects of the female force (yin) : metal (one of the Five Elements), autumn, and the west. This small but well carved dense hardwood image made for private devotion on a home altar finely portrays her as a modest matronly figure holding her robe across her body creating deeply cut fold patterns seated on a red backless throne and wearing a large and well carved iconic phoenix in her headdress.

     

  • Antique Rare Carving of a Huntsman with Rifle, China (16743WHK) $315

    $315.00
    H: 9″  W: 3.625″  D: 3.5″ | FREE SHIPPING!

    This unusual ancestor-huntsman figure is like a similar example in the collection of described by the notable scholar Keith Stephens as “An Unusual and Extraordinary Ancestral Image” standing with legs spread firmly on a plain rounded triangular base holding an 19th century flint lock rifle while scouting for prey. Much of original paint has been lost or covered by darkened lacquer, but the flesh tone on the face and remnants of red and white paint remain.

  • Antique Rare Large Lohan with Hands in Reverence, China (16436A-WHKE) $7300

    $7,300.00
    H: 28.25  W: 12.75”  D: 9.75” | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    This exceptional, beautifully crafted rare 17-18th century Ming/Qing large Lohan is from the same Buddhist site as the foreign-born heavy bearded Lohan (Bodhidharma), and the same artist may have carved both. Although a Buddhist image, as a lohan he is portrayed as a real person with very individual, distinctive, and un-idealized features.  His benevolent youthful face sweetly smiling face with downcast eyes is an image of compassion, wisdom and peace.

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  • Antique Seated Taoist Priest Holding Elixir of Immortality (16312BOK) China

    $675.00
    H: 9 ”  W: 5 ”   D:3.5  ”    | FREE SHIPPING!

    This finely carved, beautifully detailed statue of a Taoist Official was created using a combination of simplified geometric forms and colors to create a small but striking and significant piece. Holding the Elixir of Immortality, the statue symbolizes a wish for a long and happy afterlife. Mounted on a uniquely crafted frosted acrylic base, it complements any décor.

  • Antique Shen Nong, Founder of Natural Medicine, China (16530BCEM) $4600

    $4,600.00
    H: 30.5″  W: 19.5″  D: 11.75″ | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    In this very large finely carved rare image Shen Nong is carved in the round sitting with his knee up, shoulders covered with leaves that drape down his back and a ribbon draped underneath his bared navel. His face is set in a benevolent smile, emphasized by stylized curls in his eyebrows and beard. He sits on clouds that surround the face of a mythical beast carved in the back of the image.  Exquisitely carved and extremely rare this statue would be a prized image for anyone in the medical or pharmaceutical field.

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  • Antique Songzi Guanyin, Bestower of Children, China (16311XOKE) $2250

    $2,250.00
    H: 14.5”  W: 8.25”  D: 5” | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    This beautiful Guanyin is carved in the rural provincial tradition, far from imperial influences: a modest, compassionate and humble deity with a simple “crown” of lotus leaves holding her flat bun and unadorned robe with flowing sleeves extended to her plain pedestal lined with simple leaves. Her face is extremely empathetic with a slight smile. She sits in lalitsana, tenderly grasping her child. Given its size and elegance it was probably on a home altar of a well to do couple desirous of having a (male) baby.

     

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  • Antique Taoist Official Holding a Hu Tablet, China (19043QRK) $295

    $295.00
    H: 12.875”  W: 5”  D: 2.75” | FREE SHIPPING!

    This carving  is a Taoist official or priest wearing a traditional high hat, a high collared robe adorned with painted cobalt blue cloud designs, and an official’s belt. Seated on a modest low backless chair, he holds a long, slender and curved Hu tablet and the open cavity on the back contains its concentration slip placed there during an eye-opening ceremony. .

     

  • Antique Taoist Official or Priest with Hu Tablet, China (16095DRK) $245

    $240.00
    H: 10.5”  W: 6”  D: 4” | FREE SHIPPING!

    This image is a seated Taoist priest or official placed along with ancestor figures and other religious images on a home altar. Wearing long-flowing official’s robes with deep-folds, he ceremonially holds a hu tablet with raised arms and hands under a ritual cloth. Images were frequently damaged or darkened by incense and candle smoke from regular ritualistic offerings and were often repainted or re-lacquered as this was, probably done in the early 20th-century.

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