Home Altar

In many world religions, home altars are spiritual tables on which sacred images, symbols or texts are placed and honored with offerings made for venerating deities and/or ancestors by family members that generally include light from candles or lamps, incense, flowers, food, and water. In Buddhism, home altars are physical spaces that support spiritual practice, encourage devotees to attain enlightenment and show gratitude to the Buddha for showing the way to enlightenment. Buddha and Buddhist deity statues and other spiritual symbols remind devotees of the qualities of Buddha’s wisdom and compassion and serve to inspire devotees to develop these qualities as they recall Buddha’s teachings.

Chinese Taoist and Popular Religion family home altars or shrines (Kam or Kung) honor ancestors, attract blessings and avert malevolent forces and influences. Ancestor worship is a family affair to communicate with and provide greetings and support to the deceased, engage in prayer, display filial piety and make offerings to ancestor statues and/or tablets. Taoist, Popular Religion and Buddhist deities maybe placed along with images of Taoist and Buddhist priests, deified local heroes and legends. Home altar statues are blessed in an eye-opening consecration ceremony performed by a Taoist or Buddhist priest or monk to imbue with them with chi and give them life. Offerings of candles, incense and foods are placed to attract blessings of fu which they augmented by placing furniture in certain locations and using propitious colors (red and gold attracts the most fu).

In Hinduism, the home altar is the most important part of a household where all family actions and decisions are made, special events are celebrated, and members gather to perform daily prayers (puja) to show reverence and devotion through prayer, supplication, songs, ceremonial worship and rituals. Hindu statues, images of deities who protect the family and engender good fortune, are placed there along with other ritual items of devotion.

Home altars are now viewed as spiritual, and often meditational spaces to celebrate one’s family. Along with spiritual icons or statues, they include photos of loved ones, well-loved mementos or trinkets, hand-written notes, or letters. Additional spiritual elements include candles, crystals, or incense.

  • Sale! Antique Ancestor Figure in Official's Attire, China #16752

    Antique Ancestor Figure in Official’s Attire, China #16752

    Original price was: $2,285.00.Current price is: $1,700.00.
    H: 34″  W: 11.25″  D: 7.25″ | CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL [email protected] FOR SHIPPING

    Although this wonderfully carved antique figure portrays an ancestor depicted as an official, his atypically benevolent and finely modeled face makes him a very endearing figure. Old and weathering from age in its rear, this piece was repainted probably in the 20th century, as was periodically done with old figures with losses, especially due to seasonal South China climate. With his individualized convincing features, he is a very relatable rather than authoritarian figure, possibly resulting from the affection of the family that commissioned it. This beautiful and vibrant carving would enhance any setting.

    Add to cartLoading Done
  • Sale! Antique Ancestor Official Ornate Robes, China (5686)

    Antique Ancestor Official Ornate Robes, China (5686)

    Original price was: $4,950.00.Current price is: $4,200.00.
    H: 23.5″  W: 15.625″  D: 10″

    CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL [email protected] for shipping.

    This exceptional official is one of the most significant ancestor figures in our collection. His attire, glass eyes and distinct facial features indicate a wise man of importance who commands respect. Cranes and clouds symbolize  longevity, wisdom, good fortune and emphasize his high rank.

    Add to cartLoading Done
  • 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.

    Add to cartLoading Done
  • Sale! Antique Attendant with Celestial Scarf, China (16726)

    Antique Attendant with Celestial Scarf, China (16726)

    Original price was: $2,450.00.Current price is: $2,000.00.
    H:  25″ W: 7.5″  D: 6″  |    CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL [email protected] FOR SHIPPING.

    Graceful heavenly attendant carrying offerings with ribbon winding around her, a nod to the phrase  “May longevity bring blessings.” Elegant and serene demeanor honoring the being she attends.

    Add to cartLoading Done
  • Antique Attendant with Marriage Inscription, China (16260ZOK) SPECIAL PRICE

    Antique Attendant with Marriage Inscription, China (16260ZOK) SPECIAL PRICE

    $485.00

    This sweet diminutive  antique-Chinese-wood-carving of an enlightened Buddhist attendant on a double lotus base that was commissioned by the proud father to celebrate and bless a marriage as indicated by the inscription on the rear 陈门李氏双全 that indicates that it belonged to the Lee family. Although its meaning is not entirely clear, it appears to…

  • Sale! Antique Bejeweled Brass Nandi Incense Holder, India (9509A)

    Antique Bejeweled Brass Nandi Incense Holder, India (9509A)

    Original price was: $245.00.Current price is: $165.00.
    H: 4.5″  W: 2.25″  D: 3.25″   |    FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    Antique recumbent long horned Nandi seated on a high pedestal throne, with jeweled decorations on head and body is an incense holder . Beautiful patina, finely cast.

  • 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.

  • Antique Carved Buddha in Freedom from Fear, Laos (3148LKE) $1275

    Antique Carved Buddha in Freedom from Fear, Laos (3148LKE) $1275

    $1,275.00
    H: 20”  W: 3.75”  D: 3.75” | CALL 213-568-3030 FOR SHIPPING

    This antique Lao Buddha stands in refined dignity displaying inner tranquility and strength, hands in abhaya mudra that connotes reassurance, divine protection, and dispelling fear and signifies Buddha’s spiritual power as he bestows protection from evil and ignorance and conveys “fear not” to devotees.  As typical of Lao Buddhas he is covered in gilt visually reflecting his golden skin and a finial or radiance as a flame emerging from atop his head. His  wet style Buddha robe that is smooth and graceful in its simplicity and adds elegance to the carving while showing his body underneath his clothing.

    Add to cartLoading Done
  • Sale! Antique Carved Standing Ancestor Official, China #18017ESK

    Antique Carved Standing Ancestor Official, China #18017ESK

    Original price was: $425.00.Current price is: $250.00.
    Ht: 8.25″  W: 3″  D: 2.125″ | FREE SHIPPING IN CONTINENTAL US!

    Dressed in a red robe with a high neck collar, extremely wide sleeves extending below the knees and a belt around his waist, this ancestor figure portrayed as a civilian official standing on a rectangular base with hands together wearing a long civil official’s robe that extends to his shoes but has no rank badge indicated.

  • Sale! Antique Carved Wood Taoist Priest, China (16157)

    Antique Carved Wood Taoist Priest, China (16157)

    Original price was: $350.00.Current price is: $250.00.
    H: 9.25″  W:  4.5″  D: 3.25″  |    FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    Taoist official home altar carving painted on front and back with red, gilt and lacquer. Hands under ritual cloth symbolically holding a hu tablet associated with Taoist officials. Taoist were responsible for protecting against evil in this life, Buddhist for  souls in next life.

  • Sale! Antique Carving of Auspicious Fruit Offering, China #19304UAK

    Antique Carving of Auspicious Fruit Offering, China #19304UAK

    Original price was: $225.00.Current price is: $155.00.
    H: 4.75 ”     Dia: 3.675 ”    |  FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This antique carving of a wood food offering with a lacquer coating was an auspicious ornament for a Chinese bed to bring the lucky couple prosperity, health and a happy life.  The pomegranate on top is a fertility and the four peaches below are longevity symbols.  The combination of the fruits is a wish for many sons and longevity and is perfect gift for newlyweds.

End of content

End of content