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! Gilt Covered Nanhai Guanyin with Wisdom Buddhas in her Crown 16247WALK

    Gilt Covered Nanhai Guanyin with Wisdom Buddhas in her Crown 16247WALK

    Original price was: $1,585.00.Current price is: $1,400.00.
    H: 16.5″  W: 6.5″  D: 6.5″     |     CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL [email protected] FOR SHIPPING

    Rare Nanhai Guanyin with lobed crown of 5 Dhyani Tantric Buddhas of Wisdom seated on rocky outcrop before her cave on Putuo, showing Vajrayana influence rarely seen for Nanhai Guanyin. Gilt surface reflects personal devotion and personal wealth. Consecrated for placement on home altar.

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  • Sale! Ming Lacquered Wood Infant Buddha, China H: 17.5"

    Ming Lacquered Wood Infant Buddha, China H: 17.5″

    Original price was: $985.00.Current price is: $650.00.
    H: 17.5 W: 6” D: 5” | FOR SHIPPING Call  213-568-3030 or email [email protected]

    Although this rare Ming image is missing its arms, it is a powerful yet charming sculpture of the infant Buddha as humble and confident with a  youthful torso.

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  • Sale! Antique Ming Songzi Guanyin, Bestower of Children, China #16057BAK

    Antique Ming Songzi Guanyin, Bestower of Children, China #16057BAK

    Original price was: $1,350.00.Current price is: $1,100.00.
    H: 11”  W: 5.75”  D: 5.125” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This very rare and fine 16th century home shrine image displays the benign and compassionate countenance of Songzi Guanyin the “Bestower of Children.”  With round face and joyful half-closed and eyes, she looks lovingly at the child whose arm is draped over hers.and leans slightly forward,  wearing a 5- lobed crown centered with a camellia flower a Chinese symbol of young sons and daughters. The inscription on the back dates the piece to 1521-1567

  • Sale! Ming/Qing Carved Guanyin with a Child, China,  (5301)

    Ming/Qing Carved Guanyin with a Child, China, (5301)

    Original price was: $2,250.00.Current price is: $1,700.00.
    Ht: 26”  W: 10.25” D: 7.5″ |CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL [email protected] FOR SHIPPING

    Rare provincial image of Guanyin tenderly holding a young child’s hand similar to  Songzi  “Child-Giving Guanyin”. Consecrated  with vibrant gilt and red surface in front and back.

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  • Sale! Nanhai Guanyin Atop a Fish, China (16376)

    Nanhai Guanyin Atop a Fish, China (16376)

    Original price was: $695.00.Current price is: $575.00.
    H: 10″  W: 5.5″  D: 4.5″  |    FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    Rare provincial consecrated carving of Nanhai Guanyin on a lotus, representing purity of the mind, above a fish symbolizing her power to help beings sail through sea of suffering separating mortal world from the Western Paradise.

  • Sale! Rare Antique Carving of Guanyin on a Deified Ox, China #16287LMK

    Rare Antique Carving of Guanyin on a Deified Ox, China #16287LMK

    Original price was: $885.00.Current price is: $650.00.
    H: 10.25″ W: 7.5″ D: 3.75″    |    FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    Rare provincial  carving,  possibly Guanyin on lotus throne atop an ox.  Vibrant gold with intricate designs on the lotus petals and ox’s saddle coverings, this statue shows how the concept of a bodhisattva was adapted to the deification of  “draft animals” (beasts of burden) who were integral to rural daily and agricultural activities in Chinese Popular Religion, Buddhism and Taoism beliefs.

  • Sale! Rare Antique Guanyin with Crown with Five Dhyani Buddhas, #16557 China

    Rare Antique Guanyin with Crown with Five Dhyani Buddhas, #16557 China

    Original price was: $695.00.Current price is: $425.00.
    Ht: 9.5″  W: 4.5″  D: 3.75″      |        FREE SHIPPING WITHin Continental U.S.

    Rare provincial home altar consecrated gender neutral Guanyin is in meditation on lotus throne wearing five-lobed crown symbolically representing the 5 Dyhani Buddhas in the Vajrayana Tantric tradition.

  • SOLD Antique Carved Guanyin on Lotus Pedestal, China

    SOLD Antique Carved Guanyin on Lotus Pedestal, China

    $1,375.00
    SOLD  H: 23.25″  W: 9.25″  D: 6.25″

    This Guanyin image was probably one of a pair of images along with the Taoist Queen Mother of the West (16206A-WACK) placed together on a community, local temple or home altar.  Created by the same local artisan, they are provincial rather than imperial style having a humble, unadorned and simple rendering, seated on backless thrones, hands covered by a ritual cloth, uncharacteristic of Guanyin but common for Taoist goddesses. Both wear layered robes and a high pointed crown – the Queen Mother’s centered by a phoenix and Guanyin’s by a flower surrounded by symbolic aureole of radiating light. Both have soft blissful smiles with eyes cast slightly downwards to engage their devotees. Initially covered in bright polychrome colors, there are traces of surviving red, yellow, green, brown and black.

  • SOLD Antique Queen Mother of the West on Raised Pedestal, China (16206A-WACK)

    SOLD Antique Queen Mother of the West on Raised Pedestal, China (16206A-WACK)

    $1,375.00
    SOLD  |  H: 23.25″  W: 9.25″  D: 6.5″

    This Queen Mother of the West, the highest ranking female Taoist deity was probably displayed as a pair along a statue of Guanyin, the most significant Buddhism female (Guanyin on a Lotus Pedestal (16206B) highlighting the importance and similarity of these revered female images  Like the Guanyin, the Queen Mother’s delicately carved face has half closed eyes, serene composure mouth with a hint of a smile, which is more Buddhist than Taoist. Her headdress, centered by her iconic phoenix, rests under a hood extending to her shoulders and back. She wears a high collared three-layered Taoist robe, her hands covered by a ritual cloth.

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