Lotus

In Hinduism and Buddhism, the lotus (padma) is a symbol of purity, spontaneous generation, and divine birth as well as the flowering of the mind and freedom from the darkness of this world and usually appears only with enlightened beings. It symbolizes the path to enlightenment: it grows from the mud symbolizing samsara) appears on the surface unsoiled symbolizing purification and in the end rises to produce a beautiful flower symbolizing enlightenment. . Lotus petals represent the spokes of the wheel of existence to which all sentient beings are bound until they reach the stage of awakening and enlightenment and can enter Nirvana. The blossom represents purity and the stem symbolizes Buddhist teachings which give rise to purity of mind. The Lalitavistara Sutra states “…the spirit of man can be spotless, like the new lotus in the muddy water which does not adhere to it.” Guanyin and other Bodhisattvas are often shown holding a lotus and standing or seated on a lotus throne signifying their enlightenment. A lotus throne is called a padmapita. It also has auspicious references, depending different lotus parts, that symbolize fertility, the birth of sons, longevity, high rank, wealth, honor and peace. Lotus buds are often used to pick up lids of pottery and wood vessels. The words for lotus in Chinese have the same meanings as to bind or connect (in marriage), one after the other, uninterrupted, to love, and modesty.

Showing 1–12 of 30 results

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

    $165.00
    Ht: 3.75”  W: 3”  D: 3.5” | FREE SHIPPING

    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.

     

  • Antique Carved Lacquered Pair of Fu Lions on Pedestals, China (19074ASE) $995

    $995.00
    H: 12″  D: 7″  D: 7.75″ | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    This very fine pair of antique carved males fu lions represents the dual nature of these mythical animals: as protective images they are powerful and fierce, as Buddhist images they are whimsical with smiling faces, dangling tongues, hanging ears and bushy tails. They are extremely well carved with harnesses and bells around their necks, detailed manes and tails on high intricately decorated bases to signal their importance. Perfect for enhancing feng shui in a home or office, large finely decorative wood pairs like this are extremely hard to find.

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  • Antique Carved Sweetmeat Confection Mold, China (3214A-BKE)

    $475.00
    H: 5.625″  W: 27.875″  D: 9.75″ | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    This exceptionally crafted and beautiful footed confection mould  was most probably a marriage gift from a wealthy family to the newly wed as seen its symbols.  It is elaborated and ornately decorated in vibrant reds and gilt with many auspicious symbols for fidelity, fertility and happiness with lotuses and pods filled with seeds, bats, paired fish and intertwined vines. 

     

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  • Antique Dark Lacquer Guanyin in Royal Ease, China, (16910BOE) $515

    $515.00
    Ht: 10.75″  W: 5.5″  D: 4.5″ | FREE SHIPPING

    This dark wood carving is a Guanyin manifestation called “white hooded,”  “white clad” or “white robed” Guanyin derived from the many paintings where she is clad in white. Although wood carvings usually portray her clothed in red, this finely carved version of her is covered in a thick lacquer coat that darkens naturally over time and darkens even more when honored on a home altar with daily prayers and offerings that include smoky candles and burning incense.

  • Antique Document Holder with Poem and Auspicious Symbols, China (19404XRK) $350

    $350.00
    H: 10.75”  W: 7”  D: 4.5” | FREE SHIPPING

    This  delicately carved and elaborate document holder was designed to be mounted on a wall held up by its back panel with sumptuously carved floral cutouts and graceful curvilinear embellishments. It was clearly intended as a wedding gift as it is embellished with a huge assortment of auspicious symbols for newly weds, with wishes for wealth, glory, harmony, unity, fertility, the birth of sons, longevity among others.  The scalloped carrier section is covered with with black, red and gilt designs and poems by the very famous Song Dynasty poet Su Shi. This would be a wonderful, unique, and appropriate wedding gift to send the bride and groom off with the best possible wishes.

  • Antique Guanyin Held Up by Demons, China (16208VRKE) $5800

    $5,800.00
    H: 45″ W: 17.75″  D: 11.5″ | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    This outstanding Guanyin wood carving is an extremely rare image and displays a wonderful earthy blend of Mahayana and Tantric (Tibetan) Buddhism and spiritual and folk traditions that resonated with provincial populations. She sits on a lotus above a hexagonal throne right raised in abhaya mudra, lobed crown is centered with the Amitabha Buddha inside an aureole. The four agonized creatures struggling to hold the calm Guanyin on their shoulders is a unique Tantric visual representation of the triumph of Buddhism over ignorance. Probably placed in a community shrine or Guanyin temple, the rear is unpainted as it was displayed high against a wall and foreshortened to be viewed from below. With its admonitions about greed, aversion and ignorance it is a great metaphor for our times. 

     

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  • Antique Guanyin on Elaborate Lotus Throne, China (19536BKE) $695

    $695.00
    H: 14.5”  W: 5.5”  D: 4.25” | FREE SHIPPING

    Guanyin’s elegance, compassion and serenity are emphasized in this graceful antique provincial carving. Portrayed in meditation with flowing robes on a majestic three-tiered lotus throne she was designed for personal veneration in a home setting.

     

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    Antique Guanyin with Crown in Meditation, China (16467PRK) $495

    $425.00
    Ht: 10.5”  W: 5.5”  D: 4” | FREE SHIPPING!

    Guanyin is portrayed in this gilt and lacquer carving seated on a lotus in the lap in meditation mudra  atop a decorative footed stand in elegantly draped robes. In thisregal form she wears a 5-lobe crown with a cross hatch design in the center while her hair rests atop her head in a bun encircled within the crown.

  • Antique Guanyin with Lobed Crown, China (16151LME) $475

    $475.00
    H: 11.625″  W: 5.325″  D: 4.25″  | FREE SHIPPING!

    Made for placement on a home altar, this small Guanyin sits in lotus position (padmasana) feet upward and exposed, hands clasped in anjali mudra of prayer, reverence, respect. With a full face and downcast eyes, she is depicted in modest provincial style with symbols of her bodhisattva status: a 5-lobed diadem, hair in a chignon, braids draping down her shoulders, and a flowing robe. Her pendulous ears are a sign of wisdom, her ability to hear the cries of sentient beings, and her spiritual awakening. It is covered with gilt as a sign of her enlightened status.

  • Antique Jewelry Box with Auspicious Symbols, China (16782BKE) $385

    $385.00

    H: 8.5″   W: 15″  D:5″. Shipping Quote Required.  Call 213-568-3030

    This vibrant jewelry box containing five draws with tear drop pulls is decorated with well recognized auspicious symbols to bring blessings and good luck to its fortunate female owner: red, the color of “fu” symbolizes blessings for a virtuous and blissful life; the carved young women on the doors holding lotus stems symbolize beauty and purity; and the five bats surrounding a longevity character on the top mean ““May you have a harmonious marriage with the Five Blessings.” With its propitious meanings, this charming box was probably a wedding gift for the optimistic bride.

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  • Antique Lacquer and Gilt Straits Chinese (Peranakan) Shrine Cabinet, China (3986BKE) $595

    $595.00
    H: 16.375″  W: 13.625″  D: 5.75″ | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    This intricately carved black and heavily gilt antique cabinet is a fine example of a Straits Chinese furniture made in Guangdong for the Southeast Asia market.  Carved openwork panels with phoenixes and lotuses are symbolic wishes for harmony, blessings, rank, good fortune; outstretched wings wish for harmonious marriage, many sons and the inside decoration a wish for status and successful career. Although flamboyant for todays taste, it is a unique accent piece and gift for newly weds.

     

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  • Antique Ladies Vanity Cabinet with Elaborate Carving (16442LMK) $695

    $695.00
    Ht: 20.75”  W:  19.125”  D: 11” | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    This very fine ladies vanity cabinet is covered with red lacquer, the color of blessings (fu), highlighted with gold and deeply carved and painted decorations of auspicious symbols to bring happiness, good fortune, long life and many sons to the elite couple who may have received it as a wedding gift by parents in hopes of them successfully carrying on the family tradition.  This is a reflection of the Confucian belief having sons to carry on the family name is essential to real happiness.

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