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 49–60 of 60 results

  • Antique Wood and Lacquer Monk (Lohan), China (16241BHK) $785

    Antique Wood and Lacquer Monk (Lohan), China (16241BHK) $785

    $785.00

    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…

  • Sale! Antique Wood Guanyin in Meditation, China #16955BME

    Antique Wood Guanyin in Meditation, China #16955BME

    Original price was: $425.00.Current price is: $300.00.
    H:9.75″    W: 5.6″    D: 3.75″   |  FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    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.

  • Antique Wood Zhenwu, The Taoist "Perfected Warrior" China (19066B)                                     ME) $575

    Antique Wood Zhenwu, The Taoist “Perfected Warrior” China (19066B) ME) $575

    $575.00

    Zhenwu (aka Xuanwu, Wuandi and Zhenwudadi) is one of the most revered Chinese Taoist figures, venerated for his ability to heal as well as to protect his country and the emperor. There are various depictions of his attire, but here he wears a plain black robe with an official’s belt which he holds in his…

  • Antique/Vintage Carved House Deity, China (7507QOK) $295

    Antique/Vintage Carved House Deity, China (7507QOK) $295

    $295.00

    While major deities such as Guandi were officially sanctioned by government and religious authorities, many popular deities and historic figures were integrated into Popular Religion beliefs where they were assimilated and greatly modified with local traditions and iconographic depictions such as this. We assume this is Guandi, one of the most revered Chinese deities based…

  • Antique/Vintage Taoist Shaman with Taotie on Hat, China (7503ZAH) $395

    Antique/Vintage Taoist Shaman with Taotie on Hat, China (7503ZAH) $395

    $395.00

    This image from Guandong wears typical Taoist priest or shaman attire – an undergarment crossed at the neck, an overcoat clasped at the waist and a double-winged high hat centered with an image of a taotie. The taotie is a mystical animal sometimes on the hat of Taoist priests or shamans as a guardian or…

  • Gilded Carved Wood Guandi, the God of War and Justice, China,(16326BEM) Special Price

    Gilded Carved Wood Guandi, the God of War and Justice, China,(16326BEM) Special Price

    $375.00
    H:  8.25″    W: 5.5″    D: 4″    |  FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    Guandi, the God of War and Justice and Protector of China and its citizens was a Chinese model of loyalty, virtue and morality and was depicted in Temples and home shrines throughout China. This antique figurine was probably part of a larger carving. He wears military maille, black gloves with a carved taotie which is a warning against gluttony and is covered in gold as a sign of power.  The  open back confirms it was consecrated by a Taoist priest. Mounted on a frosted acrylic stand.

  • 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.

    The 5-lobed crown of this rare Nanhai Guanyin contains the 5 Dhyani Tantric Buddhas of Wisdom. Carvings like this that were consecrated for placement on home altars were often covered in gilt as both a display of personal devotion and the wealth of the donor.

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  • Sale! Nanhai Guanyin of the South Sea Atop a Fish, China #16376TSK

    Nanhai Guanyin of the South Sea Atop a Fish, China #16376TSK

    Original price was: $695.00.Current price is: $550.00.
    H: 10″  W: 5.5″  D: 4.5″  | CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL [email protected] FOR SHIPPING.

    As a protector of the sea Guanyin sits above a fish – represented as an emerging head and tail which symbolizes her power to help sentient beings safely sail through the sea of suffering which divides the mortal world and the Western Paradise to which Pure Land Buddhism devotees are brought upon their death. In this rare 18th century carving, the lotus on the base represents purity and the stem symbolizes Buddhist teachings which give rise to purity of mind.

  • 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.!

    This extraordinary rare and delicately rendered rural carving is a female bodhisattva possibly Guanyin seated on a lotus throne atop an ox. Beautifully highlighted in vibrant gold and adorned 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 in Continental U.S.!

    This delicately carved home altar Guanyin is gender neutral in meditation on a lotus throne.  Her humble demeanor, modest robes and absence of stylized decorative details exemplify the best of provincial Ming and Qing carvings. She is a tranquil figure with simple, soft, and beautifully rendered facial wearing a five-lobed crown symbolically representing the five Dyhani Buddhas and reflecting Vajrayana Tantric influence.

  • SOLD Antique Carved Guanyin on Lotus Pedestal, China (16206B-WACK)

    SOLD Antique Carved Guanyin on Lotus Pedestal, China (16206B-WACK)

    $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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