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…

  • Antique Attendant Sword Bearer to Guandi, God of War, China (16112LSE)

    Antique Attendant Sword Bearer to Guandi, God of War, China (16112LSE)

    $950.00

    Guandi lived during the latter part of the Han Dynasty and is the best known and most revered Chinese military historical hero. He was canonized in 1504 as Guan Di, the Taoist God of War and China’s Protector. According to Keith Stevens, he is “all things to all men, not only prayed to for protection…

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  • Sale! Antique Attendant to Guandi, Taoist God of War, China #16022LSE

    Antique Attendant to Guandi, Taoist God of War, China #16022LSE

    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

    This fine woodcarving is Chou Ts’ang, the aide-de-camp and attendant to Guandi, the most revered and well-known military hero in Chinese history and the Taoist God of War.  As an attendant his hands held together and eyes down cast in respect and legs firmly planted on the ground. His protective military clothing and heavy boots presented in detail and the high red and black pedestal with painted gold florals make him a key figure even though the figure of Guandi he attends would have been much larger and important.

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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 Carved Kitchen God and His Wife, China #16840BME

    Antique Carved Kitchen God and His Wife, China #16840BME

    Original price was: $850.00.Current price is: $650.00.
    H: 7.5″ W: 2.875″ D: 2″ | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This pair is VA’s most unique and finely crafted Kitchen God couple. Wearing beautifully carved robes, clasping Hu tablets, they have  approachable features and subtly smiling lips. The painted character on the base of each is a wish for “happiness.” These exceptional consecrated and rare pieces are in excellent condition with a fine patina. Kitchen Gods radiate warmth, especially when placed near the stove and are unique house warming or wedding gifts and add positive chi and enhance feng-shui in any home.

  • Antique Earth God Tudi Gong, China (16332BOK) $775

    Antique Earth God Tudi Gong, China (16332BOK) $775

    $775.00

    Tudi Gong is the Chinese Earth or Land God referred to by many names and often fondly referred to by commoners as “Grandpa.” He is a syncretic deity and tutelary deity, responsible for administrating and protecting the affairs of small towns and villages, especially issues concerning agriculture or wealth, and is believed to control the…

  • 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 VANISHINGARTS213@GMAIL.COM 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 VANISHINGARTS213@GMAIL.COM 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 Home Altar Queen Mother of the West,  China (16035TSK) $395

    Antique Home Altar Queen Mother of the West, China (16035TSK) $395

    $395.00

    As a syncretic Taoist deity, the Queen Mother of the West has a huge cult following among Taoist, Buddhist and folk religion devotees revered for her powers to control life and death and to determine the life span of all living beings. Irvin calls her one of the Great Chinese Goddesses who are all imperially…

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