Deities and Legends

Historically deities and deified humans have played a significant role in Asia the spiritual, cultural and daily life activities. In China and India, these beings serve a significant role in human activities by monitoring individual’s activities and responding with rewards or punishment. Deities and legends are propitiated in temples and home altars and shrines with offerings to protect and aid the living. The large pantheon of Chinese major and minor deities and legendary figures have been worshiped since ancient times. Gods created the world and humans and keep everything safe and well-functioning. Gods and deified legendary humans live the heavenly realms of immortality and are actively involved with human activities from intimate moments to events of national importance. Along with ancestors, gods have been a bridge between the living and the deceased and are revered and propitiated to watch over the living. The most venerated Chinese gods are the Jade Emperor, Queen Mother of the West, the Eight Immortals, Guanyin, Matsu, and the gods of wealth, war, literature, and happiness. Although outlawed as superstition in 1949 by the Communist Party, deities and legendary figures are still worshipped in Chinese homes world wide..

  • Antique Agricultural Deity and Spring Ox, China (16337LKE) $885

    Antique Agricultural Deity and Spring Ox, China (16337LKE) $885

    $885.00

    This extremely rare late Ming/early Qing dynasty antique-Chinese-wood-carving carving is divided in two parts and is significant for its juxtaposition of images as well as its unique iconography. The top is one of the Taoist officials in typical officials-attire: an official’s hat, a tiered robe with a red sash extending to the tops of the…

  • Sale! Antique Attendant to Guandi, Taoist God of War, China (16022)

    Antique Attendant to Guandi, Taoist God of War, China (16022)

    Original price was: $695.00.Current price is: $395.00.
    H: 16.25:  W: 5.875”  D: 3.5” | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    Attendant Chou Ts’ang, to Guandi, most revered Chinese military hero and Taoist God of War, hands clasped and eyes down in respect wearing detailed military clothing and boots on high pedestal with painted gold florals.

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  • Antique Brass Nandi, India (9509B-GAH) $155

    Antique Brass Nandi, India (9509B-GAH) $155

    $155.00

    Nandi is among the most frequent Hindu deities worshiped in public places, temples, homes, or on a home altar throughout India.  As one of Hinduism’s mythical animals, Nandi is Shiva’s vahana, (his mount that transports him), attendant and leader of his attendants and guardian of all four-footed animals. A recumbent image of Nandi on a…

  • Sale! Antique Bronze/Brass Nandi, South India, (9510)

    Antique Bronze/Brass Nandi, South India, (9510)

    Original price was: $395.00.Current price is: $225.00.
    H: 3.25”  W: 1.375”  D: 2.5”   |.   FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    Antique brass Nandi exquisitely crafted with a wonderfully aged patina from use on a home altar. On a raised rectangular platform his delicate incised decorative details delineate features of his sinuous body and graceful long horns extending backwards. Based on a South Indian cow with a humpback.

  • Sale! Antique Earth God Tudi Gong, China (16332K)

    Antique Earth God Tudi Gong, China (16332K)

    Original price was: $775.00.Current price is: $495.00.
    H: 12.125″  W: 6.125″ D: 4.125a”   |    FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    Tudi Gong in horseshoe chair with typical kindly face, flowing beard, officials-attire: high hat, double waist belt, red color, holding a tael gold bar as wish for wealth. Most popular rural deity who protects small towns, residents and agriculture.

  • Antique Elegant Queen Mother of the West, China (16096JASK) $1550

    Antique Elegant Queen Mother of the West, China (16096JASK) $1550

    $1,550.00

    The Queen Mother of the West (Xiwangmu) is one of the most significant female Taoist-deities and one of the Great Chinese Goddesses with a huge syncretic cult following within Taoism, Popular Folk Religion and Buddhism. With immeasurable powers she controls life and creation, death and destruction and the ability to determine every living being’s lifespan….

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  • Sale! Antique Glass Painting of a Peacock, India, (3983)

    Antique Glass Painting of a Peacock, India, (3983)

    Original price was: $395.00.Current price is: $325.00.
    H: 16″  W: 13 ” D:  1″ | CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL [email protected] FOR SHIPPING

    Glass painting of a peacock, one of a pair of panels in an antique Indian cabinet with Krishna Playing his Flute (3982). This vibrant wall hanging is beautifully painted with reflective silver accents.  We recommend they be kept as a pair.

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  • Sale! Antique Glass Painting of Krishna, India, (3982)

    Antique Glass Painting of Krishna, India, (3982)

    Original price was: $395.00.Current price is: $325.00.
    H: 16″ W: 13″ D: 1″ | |  CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL [email protected] FOR SHIPPING

    This vibrant glass painting of Krishna along with the Peacock (3983MCE) were inset in an antique Indian wood cabinet or chest. One of the most popular Hindu deities, he is beautifully depicted serenading his adoring gopis with his engaging flute.

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  • Sale! Antique God of Wealth Caishen, China (19313)

    Antique God of Wealth Caishen, China (19313)

    Original price was: $745.00.Current price is: $425.00.
    H: 10.25” W: 4.75” D: 3.625” | FREE SHIPPING WITHin Continental U.S.

    Taoist God of Wealth (Caishen) portrayed as benevolent authoritative figure associated with wealth: holds tael, robe with coin decorations, painted with red and gold.

  • Antique Nuo Opera Female Mask, China (19220WRK) $395

    Antique Nuo Opera Female Mask, China (19220WRK) $395

    $395.00

    The origins of Nuo Opera, performed in provincial villages in Southern China since antiquity, is found in spirit and ancestor worship and Taoism. Performances use a few dozen to 200 masks having distinctive facial features, decorations, regional and ethnic individuality and aesthetic diversity. Usually carved from poplar or willow which are light and less likely…

  • Antique Nuo Opera Mask of Tudi Gong, China (16574BAK) $575

    Antique Nuo Opera Mask of Tudi Gong, China (16574BAK) $575

    $575.00
    H: 10.5”  W:7.75”  D: 3” | FREE SHIPPING!

    This amusing antique Nuo Opera mask portrays Tudi Gong, the benevolent Earth god with a smiling animated face, long eyebrows, a hemp beard and large ears  wearing a high decorative hat. Tudi is a zhengshen, a god who is kindly, honest with a gentle disposition, symbolizing the great power of good, through which evil can be defeated. Nuo was popular during the Ming and Qing dynasties and although they are still performed in rural areas, there are few remaining troupes.

  • 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.

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