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.

Showing 1–12 of 91 results

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    Ancient Harpocrates Figurine, Roman Empire, Alexandria (1844BHK) $395

    Original price was: $395.00.Current price is: $335.75.
    Ht: 6.5”  W: 2.625”  D: 1.75” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This ancient figurine is Harpocrates the Greek god of silence and secrets holding a jar made for a home shrine.  He probably represents a royal and temple cult, as he wears a double crown symbolizing both Upper and Lower Egypt and his royal emblem signifies his association with the reigning Egyptian king, who was considered a manifestation of the Egyptian god Horus. Missing part of his right side when excavated, and no with no repairs this is a true slice of history. It pairs well with #1845 Ancient Pottery Figurine of Child Nurturer Goddess.

     

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    Ancient Pottery Figurine of Child Nurturer Goddess, Roman Empire, Alexandria (1845BHK) $395

    Original price was: $395.00.Current price is: $335.75.
    Ht: 6.75” W: 3” D: 2” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This Roman Egyptian figurine from Alexandria of a woman holding a young child is a Kourotrophos, a class goddess figures holding infants or children. Referred to as “child nurturers”, these were revered deities, cult figures and mortals who were also fertility symbols and protectors of the young. Made from a bivalve mold, this terracotta figurine was probably placed on a home altar for protection. Mother and child figures like this are universal and appear in cultures throughout the world. It pairs well with #1844 Ancient Harpocrates Figurine.

     

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    Antique Ancestor Figure in Official’s Attire, China (16752) $2285

    Original price was: $2,285.00.Current price is: $1,942.25.
    H: 34″  W: 11.25″  D: 7.25″ | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    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 always periodically done with old figures with losses, here especially due to the 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.

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    Antique Ancestor Official in Ornate Robe with Raised Lacquer Designs (5686BREM) SPECIAL PRICE

    Original price was: $4,950.00.Current price is: $4,207.50.
    H: 23.5″  W: 15.625″  D: 10″ |CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL [email protected] FOR SHIPPING COST

    This exceptional Qing carving portrays a seated official ancestor wearing traditional official’s attire, a red and black official’s hat and black boots. His inset glass eyes and high cheekbones frame a large curved nose, a strong projecting chin and forehead wrinkles indicating a man of importance with the wisdom of age who demands respect. The top two robe layers have wide borders with marvelous raised lacquer decorations that include beautiful cloud forms, flying phoenixes with spread wings and floral sprays.

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

    Original price was: $950.00.Current price is: $807.50.
    H: 23.25”  W: 11.5”  D: 7.75”   |  CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL [email protected] FOR SHIPPING COST

    This rare fine woodcarving represents Chou Ts’ang, the aide-de-camp to Guandi, the most revered military hero in Chinese history. Portrayed with black skin tones wearing a military uniform with raised beads, heavy military boots and hat he exhibits and air of authority. His downcast inset glass eyes represent his respect to his general while his left foot is forward ready to spring into action. The closed back cavity shows it was consecrated by a priest and the indentation in his pedestal indicates it possibly was affixed to a larger configuration. A great gift for a military aficionado.

     

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    Antique Attendant to Guandi, Taoist God of War, China (16022LSE) $695

    Original price was: $695.00.Current price is: $590.75.
    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 Attendant with Celestial Scarf, China (16726HKE) $2450

    Original price was: $2,450.00.Current price is: $2,082.50.
    H: 25” W: 7.5” D: 6” | FOR SHIPPING QUOTATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL US AT [email protected]

    This lovely carving of a beautiful young woman represents an attendant that would have been housed in a wealthy home or a community shrine to accompany an enlightened Buddhist or Taoist figure at whom she modestly gazes. Her hands, covered by a draped ritual cloth, extend to hold offerings and the swirling ribbon implies her power, weightlessness or being in the heavens. This truly elegant and forceful statue has winding ribbons reflecting the auspicious phrase  “May longevity bring blessings.” Its lustrous patina adds to its depth, softness and grace which enhance the energy in any space it occupies. 

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

    Original price was: $485.00.Current price is: $412.25.
    H: 7.5”  W: 3”  D: 2.75” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This precious finely-carved diminutive figurine is an enlightened Buddhist attendant who stands on a double lotus base used only for enlightened beings as part of an array of images to bless the family for a special occasion – the marriage of a son or daughter as indicated by the inscription on the back. With hands in reverence her eyes glance down down modestly with dellight for the figure she attends and the joyous occasion .  The skillful modeling of the image and the detailed inscription make this a very special piece.

     

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    Antique Attendant with Offering, China (16424A-BLE) SPECIAL PRICE

    Original price was: $435.00.Current price is: $369.75.
    H: 15.5″. W: 5.5″. D: 4.24″  | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    Attendants like this often accompanied Taoist figures on home altars, along with other deities and spiritual images. They frequently presented offerings to them which, when tied with ribbons, symbolized “ longevity for generations”. This 18-19th century carving may have accompanied a significant deity as the statue was covered in gilt and lacquer, some which has  naturally darkened from age and from years of incense, age and use.

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    Antique Brass Nandi, India (9509B-GAH) $155

    Original price was: $155.00.Current price is: $131.75.
    H: 3.5″  W: 1.75″  D: 2.5″ | FREE SHIPPING!

    This finely cast antique figurine with finely articulated features portrays Nandi with jewels sitting recumbent on a high-tiered throne. Kneeling in reverence to serve  Lord Shiva he is a symbol of purity and strength. Small figurines were placed on home shrines with other deities and significant family items. Made using lost wax   it is a one-of-a-kind piece

     

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    Antique Brass Vishnu Oil Lamp (Diya), India (9571B-PAH) $165

    Original price was: $165.00.Current price is: $140.25.
    Ht: 3.75”  W: 3”  D: 3.5” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This heavy antique brass oil lamp is devoted to Vishnu with symbols for him and his consort Lakshmi who together are the paradigm for rituals and ceremonies of a blessed Hindu marriage. Used on a home or temple altar for daily prayers (puja), it has with a yoni shaped cup to store oil, a lotus top and a mark of Vishnu that his devotees wear on their forehead to indicate their spiritual affiliation.

     

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    Antique Bronze/Brass Nandi, South India (9510VHE) $395

    Original price was: $395.00.Current price is: $335.75.
    H: 3.25”  W: 1.375”  D: 2.5” | FREE SHIPPING

    This small antique brass Nandi is exquisitely handcrafted with a wonderfully aged patina. He sits recumbent on a raised rectangular platform. Delicately incised with decorative details delineating the head, neck, snout and body, his right leg and tail are sinuous, graceful ornaments rather than defining features. His head is at a 45-degree with lyrically curved horns in contrast to most versions with horns extending backwards. This Nandi is based on a South Indian cow whose humpback is emphasized here by two parallel lines covering it as if is part of a saddle or another ornament feature.

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