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..
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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.
Either a Taoist house deity/dignitary or an ancestor figure, this colorful provincial carving has painted calligraphy identifying his name. The image has characteristics of Guandi, the God of War holding a tael or a military seal with military maille.
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.
Exquisite carved Queen Mother of the West, elaborate phoenix in crown. Most significant Taoist female deity, patron of women, divine teacher, determines length of people’s lives, associated with virtue and peaches of immortality.
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.
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.
Taoist God of Wealth (Caishen) portrayed as benevolent authoritative figure associated with wealth: holds tael, robe with coin decorations, painted with red and gold.
Home altar provincial Queen Mother carving depicted her as approachable, humble and matronly. Iconic phoenix on headdress. Cavity with original sealed covering indicates it was consecrated.
Chinese Noa opera mask is likely a female zhengshen – a benevolent gods with kind and honest nature and gentle disposition -symbolizing the power of good to defeat evil. Age and heavy use
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.
By making the Queen Mother larger than her horse and adorning it with decorative accessories – wide blanket, prominent head gear, double rowed harness, decorative medallion – this provincial artist emphasizes her power as Tao goddess of life, fertility and granting immortality.
Dense hardwood Queen Mother carving with phoenix in crown, holding robe across body, calmly seated on backless throne, much original polychrome and lacquer finish remains. Sealed consecrated cavity.
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