Tael

Images of Taoists, wealth gods and priests are often portrayed carrying a rectangular or boat shaped objects symbolizing wealth and thus are a wish for riches and good fortune. These objects represent taels, a common form of currency in China or, more specifically, ingots called yuanbao. Ingots are silver measurements of value first used during the Yuan dynasty that were molded into boat or shoe-shaped objects called yuanbao. Yuanbao is a rebus (visual pun) symbolizing official office or rank and can also symbolize coming in first in the imperial examination system. Silver ingots are also one of the Chinese Eight Treasures and symbolize brightness and purity. Statues of taoist priests holding a tael/ingot and a cup with the elixir of immortality are sometimes included on home altars along with statues of ancestors.

  • Antique Earth God Tudi Gong, China (16332BOK) $775

    Antique Earth God Tudi Gong, China (16332BOK) $775

    $775.00

    Tudi Gong is the Chinese Earth or Land God referred to by many names and often fondly referred to by commoners as “Grandpa.” He is a syncretic deity and tutelary deity, responsible for administrating and protecting the affairs of small towns and villages, especially issues concerning agriculture or wealth, and is believed to control the…

  • Sale! Antique God of Wealth Caishen, China (19313)

    Antique God of Wealth Caishen, China (19313)

    Original price was: $745.00.Current price is: $425.00.
    H: 10.25” W: 4.75” D: 3.625” | FREE SHIPPING WITHin Continental U.S.

    Taoist God of Wealth (Caishen) portrayed as benevolent authoritative figure associated with wealth: holds tael, robe with coin decorations, painted with red and gold.

  • 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/Vintage Carved House Deity, China (7507QOK) $295

    Antique/Vintage Carved House Deity, China (7507QOK) $295

    $295.00

    While major deities such as Guandi were officially sanctioned by government and religious authorities, many popular deities and historic figures were integrated into Popular Religion beliefs where they were assimilated and greatly modified with local traditions and iconographic depictions such as this. We assume this is Guandi, one of the most revered Chinese deities based…

  • Antique/Vintage Taoist Priest with Elixir of Life, China (7506PHE) $215

    Antique/Vintage Taoist Priest with Elixir of Life, China (7506PHE) $215

    $215.00

    Images of Taoist priests were often placed on a home altar along with other spiritual images, ancestral tablets and  ancestor figures to honor the departed family members, practice familial piety and ancestor-worship, and request good fortune to the family dwelling and its household. Priests were called daoshi (道士 “master of the Tao”) identified by his…

  • Antique/Vintage Taoist Shaman with Taotie on Hat, China (7503ZAH) $395

    Antique/Vintage Taoist Shaman with Taotie on Hat, China (7503ZAH) $395

    $395.00

    This image from Guandong wears typical Taoist priest or shaman attire – an undergarment crossed at the neck, an overcoat clasped at the waist and a double-winged high hat centered with an image of a taotie. The taotie is a mystical animal sometimes on the hat of Taoist priests or shamans as a guardian or…

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