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.
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Wall pockets remain a very common decorative element in Asian homes. In China, they are used to hold chopsticks and flowers to bring good fortune to a space where the family gathers. With a hole in the back for hanging on a wall, this wall pocket is great addition to enhance a kitchen’s coziness and feng shui and is a wonderful wedding gift.
Shiwan stoneware fruit offerings were especially popular during the Ming and Qing dynasties when the were placed on temple or home altars to communicate and venerate ancestors, augment fresh offerings and bring auspicious blessings of fu to families presenting them. The three peaches interwoven with lotuses are associated with springtime, fertility, and especially a long healthy life for many generations. They are considered propitious gifts for birthdays, especially for the elderly.
This enchanting carving depicts Nanhai Guanyin in her Cave on Mount Putuo seated in lalitsana, below a symbolic arch of draped moss with bright pigmentation and considerable gilt. Nanhai Guanyin was massively popular during the Ming/Qing dynasties and provincial wood images were made home altars throughout China. She holds scrolls representing the dharma and sutras, behind her is a vial with the tears of her humanity and parrot, her constant companion. Small Nanhai images with all these symbols in this condition are very rare.
Oil lamps were a form of lighting similar to candles using a small pool of oil with a cord wick in the center.This tall unique wood carved lamp anchored by on a square stone stand has the area holding the oil jutted out halfway up the piece in the center of a lotus seed pod placed on a lotus leaf, topped by a pair of facing fish with finely detailed scales symbolizing harmony, marital happiness and double fish mean “may there be abundance” (especially for sons). It was probably a wedding gift and would be a unique one today.
This tall unique hand-carved wood oil lamp is beautifully decorated with auspicious symbols to entice positive energy and luck in marriage and the arrival of many sons.: on top a pair of finely carved fish, a lotus seed pod on a lotus leaf to hold the oil and a base with a round lotus shape atop a square stone. In excellent condition, it was a well-used piece demonstrated by charred edges on the oil cup from the wick burning until all the oil was depleted.
This finely crafted vintage votive silver spoon was part of an array of objects used for daily Hindu prayers (puja) which were arranged on a puja tray. Solidly cast, it is embellished with beautify flowing and lyrical incising from the elaborate handle down to and including the inside of the spoon it is covered with gorgeous linear designs, florals and stylized lotuses bordered with a stylized rope motif.
This lovely 20th century Thai bronze statue is the White Clad Guanyin seated in meditation with her hands in her lap holding her vial of precious dew with her legs covered by her robes which flow to the top of the finely rendered multi-tiered lotus throne. Her open hood is centered by a mandorla surrounding an image of Buddha Amitabha, the Buddha of Infinite Light, her spiritual teacher. She is a vision of compassionate serenity with her half closed eyes and benevolent smile.
The beautiful contemporary bronze Buddha is rendered in Thai Lopburi style in Earth Witnessing (bhumisparsha mudra) wearing a simple two-part Theravada Buddhist monk’s robe that shows his religious devotion. He sits on a highly decorative pierced throne on a three footed curved base. The composition is a double triangle: the three-footed throne itself is a horizontal triangle as it recedes backward in space, and the Buddha and the throne form a vertical triangle. The heavy statue is filled with a cement binder, and it is in excellent condition.
This charming 18th century provincial Guanyin of the Southern Seas sits in her cave on Putuo Island in meditation on a lotus and smiling joyously. As a protector of the sea, she is seated on an open lotus above a fish with his head and tail emerging from the water. The lotus represents purity and the stem symbolizes Buddhist teachings which give rise to purity of mind and enlightenment.
This rare Chinese carving is probably Chun-ti P’u-sa, a tantric female deity called the Bodhisattva of Light, worshipped by Chinese Chan (Zen) Buddhists as a merciful Bodhisattva. In tantric style she has three faces, multiple arms and six hands, and an elegant lobed crown centered by Amitabha, as does Guanyin. This is an extremely rare and important piece and is as lovely as it is spiritual.
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