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 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.

  • Antique Queen Mother of the West on Horse, China (16138BSE) $625

    Antique Queen Mother of the West on Horse, China (16138BSE) $625

    $625.00
    H: 14.75″   W: 5.25″ D: 6.8″     |      FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.
  • 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 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 (16085BCK) $795

    Antique Taoist Priest on a Horse, China (16085BCK) $795

    $795.00

    This fine antique Chinese wood 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 officials…

  • Antique Wood Kitchen God and His Wife, China (19028LAK) $995

    Antique Wood Kitchen God and His Wife, China (19028LAK) $995

    $995.00

    The Kitchen God (Zao Shen) was and still is among the most important Chinese house gods. Traditionally every family had its own Kitchen God with or without his wife above the stove to reflect his and its central position in the family’s life. The Kitchen God is both a syncretic and a tutelary deity embraced…

  • 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.

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    Antique/Vintage Brass Nandi Figurine, India (9509A-GAH) $245

    $245.00

    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…

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