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..

  • Sale! Antique Queen Mother of the West on Horse, China (16138)

    Antique Queen Mother of the West on Horse, China (16138)

    Original price was: $625.00.Current price is: $495.00.
    H: 14.75″   W: 5.25″ D: 6.8″     |      FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    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.

     

     

  • Sale! Antique Queen Mother of the West, China (16142)

    Antique Queen Mother of the West, China (16142)

    Original price was: $525.00.Current price is: $295.00.
    H:  11.25″  W:  4.6″  |  3.25″   FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    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.

  • Sale! Antique Shen Nong, Founder of Natural Medicine, China (16530)

    Antique Shen Nong, Founder of Natural Medicine, China (16530)

    Original price was: $4,600.00.Current price is: $3,900.00.
    H:  30.5″     W: 19.25″      D:  11.75     |  CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL [email protected] FOR SHIPPING

    Masterful carving of Shen Nong, revered hero and reputed father of both Natural Medicine and Agriculture. Benevolent, sitting on cloud, leaves on shoulders. One of 3 sovereigns who contributed to well-being of humanity. Especially fitting for health care, pharmaceutical or agricultural professional or associated with tea.

     

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  • Sale! Antique Silver Necklace Krishna with Gopis, India (20045)

    Antique Silver Necklace Krishna with Gopis, India (20045)

    Original price was: $695.00.Current price is: $595.00.
    Ht: 3.625”  W: 3.5”  D: .75″   |    FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    Rare antique high grade silver amulet, high relief of Lord Krishna sitting in the Tree of Life playing his flute serenading the Gopis. Truly magnificent pendant symboling Hindu belief in the interplay between deities and the human soul.

  • Antique Stone Earth God Tudi Gong, China (17406BSK) $725

    Antique Stone Earth God Tudi Gong, China (17406BSK) $725

    $725.00
    H: 8”  W: 5”  D4” | FREE SHIPPING!

    This antique stone Tudi Gong statue was finely crafted by a local provincial artisan and reflects many traditional characteristics of this beloved lower status deity: a benevolent face, voluminous rotund belly, slouched shoulders, and holding taels to bestow wealth and fortune and maybe assurances to rural common folk. In his past he rested happily on an outdoor shrine, and would be very happy to continue doing so in a home garden to bring prosperity and an aura of past times to a new family.

  • Antique Taoist Literature God on a Dragon, China (16615PBRK) SPECIAL PRICE

    Antique Taoist Literature God on a Dragon, China (16615PBRK) SPECIAL PRICE

    $795.00

    Initially linked to the Big Dipper in Chinese mythology, Wen Chang is  worshipped in the 3rd and 8th months as the God of several spheres: Literature, Books and Writing, Education, Learning and Examinations and is the patron saint of scholars. As one of the revered Taoist-deities, hero and one of the house-gods closely associated with…

  • Antique Taoist Priest on a Horse, China (16085)

    Antique Taoist Priest on a Horse, China (16085)

    $795.00

    This fine antique  carving was likely placed in a clan shrine or home altar with other religious images, ancestor figures or folk heroes reflecting the Chinese syncretic tradition that adhered to multiple spiritual and belief systems. Although it is difficult to identify specific figures, this image is likely a Taoist priest in official’s attire astride…

  • 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…

  • Sale! Antique Zhenwu, The Taoist "Perfected Warrior," China #16097BME

    Antique Zhenwu, The Taoist “Perfected Warrior,” China #16097BME

    Original price was: $595.00.Current price is: $395.00.
    H: 12″    W:5.6 ” D:4″    |  FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    Zhenwu, the True Warrior, Perfected Warrior or Northern Emperor was one of the most popular TaoistDeities in the Ming and Qing dynasties known as protector of the state and the imperial family. His feet here rest on a pedestal over a turtle with a lifted head and a snake curled around his shell. Among the many interpretations this  represent beings over whom he presided including both celestial officers under his command, [and] former demons that were conquered by him. This is a fascinating carving symbolizes trusted strength. and power.

  • 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 Earth God Tudi Gong with Wife, China (16342LOE) $785

    Antique/Vintage Earth God Tudi Gong with Wife, China (16342LOE) $785

    $785.00

    These carvings of the Taoist-Deities Tudi Gong and his wife Tudi Po are from rural Southern China where they were frequently depicted together as house-gods on a home altar or local temple for farmers to pray to for abundant harvests and success in selling their products. Although Tudi Gong is a low ranking deity, he…

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  • Sale! Antique/Vintage Silver Pendant Ganesh with Parvati, India (22059)

    Antique/Vintage Silver Pendant Ganesh with Parvati, India (22059)

    Original price was: $295.00.Current price is: $225.00.
    Ht: 2.75”. W: 2.5” D: 0.25”   1.3oz.     |     FREE SHIPPING WITHIN THE CONTINENTAL U.S.

    Rare silver pendant of joyful dancing Ganesh with Parvati framed within a betel shape with scalloped edges. Probably crafted and sold at a temple, it was worn for protection rather than good luck.

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