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.
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Rare carving of Guanyin in lalitsana clasping a rosary on a mythical Hǒu curled around her leg. Hǒus symbolize righteousness, morality and usher in peace and prosperity. Fine and rare provincial folk carving is small yet powerful, mounted on Acrylic base.
This fine and rare kneeling image is Shen Nong one of most revered cultural heroes in Chinese mythology. He is the Founder of Natural Medicine, the Father of Agriculture and an Earth God. He is said to have invented farming implements and introduced planting, cultivation, crop rotation and methods of raising domestic animals and the author of the earliest known Chinese medical classic covering medical physiology, anatomy and acupuncture – the Canon of Internal Medicine. It is a perfectly fitting and unique carving for a professional in the health care, pharmaceutical agricultural professions.
This beautiful provincial Songzi Guanyin is modest, compassionate and humble with lotus leaf crown, unadorned robe and pedestal with simple leaves. The “child giving Guanyin holding her baby resembling the infant Buddha was probably on a home altar of wealthy couple desiring a (male) baby.
Taoist images were represented as scholars, sages, heroes, deities, officials and priests. When these images are taken out of context they are very difficult to identify so we describe them in generic terms as a Taoist Officials, Priests or Deities. We identify this image an Official since he holds a hu-tablet associated with officials and…
Taoist images were represented as scholars, sages, heroes, deities, officials and priests. When these images are taken out of context they are difficult to identify so we describe them in generic terms. Seated on a backless chair wearing long flowing officials-robes with deep folds, we use the terms officials/priests for this image, since he his…
When ancestral images are taken out of context they are very difficult to identify so we describe them in generic terms as a Chinese Officials or Taoist Officials. This antique-Chinese-wood-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…
This fine antique Chinese wood carving was likely placed in a clan shrine or home altar with other religious images, ancestor figures or folk heroes reflecting the Chinese syncretic tradition that adhered to multiple spiritual and belief systems. Although it is difficult to identify specific figures, this image is likely a Taoist priest in officials…
Ancestor worship has been practiced throughout China using carved wood figures of deities, monks, priests and ancestor figures on home altars. In recent years there has been a resurgence of ancestor worship, especially in local Chinese communities practices by Buddhists, Taoists, and Popular Religion followers. Carvings of Taoist priests called daoshi often hold Taoist symbols…
The Queen Mother of the West (Xiwangmu) is the most significant of the female Taoist deities and is viewed as having magical powers to controls life, death, creation and destruction and determines the lifespan of every living being. She lives with her husband the Jade Emperor in Kunlun Mountain where she attends her famous garden…
Seated in lalitsana, the position of royal ease, this delicate White Robed Guanyin is traditionally portrayed as a humble and modest deity, although she has a gilt lacquer surface. Her white hood is draped over a stylized image of Amitabha Buddha to whom she is a companion in Pure Land Buddhism, the most widespread Buddhist sect.
18 original Lohans were the major disciples of Shakyamuni Buddha whom he, at his death bed, entrusted to protect and promulgate Buddhist teachings. Over centuries, their numbers increased to over 500 enlightened beings recognized for their courage and supernatural powers. In Mahayana Buddhism, Lohans represent the ideal toward which Buddhist devotees should strive as they…
This red lacquer and gilt covered image made for a home altar is a Pure Land Buddhist statue. Although it is a provincial image it has an elaborate headdress and decorative necklace of imperially sanctioned Guanyin images. Her 5-lobed crown is centered with radiating bars symbolizing Amitabha Buddha and his aureole that represents the flames of Buddhism.
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