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Nats worship was integral to indigenous beliefs in Burma/Myanmar since before the arrival of Buddhism. Burmese-carvings of these mythical or deified humans are seen in Buddhist temples, pagodas, government buildings, and in nat centers throughout Burma. Nats existed in early forms in shamanism and animism beginning when life was associated with agricultural pursuits and the…
This beautiful and touching antique carving of Guanyin the Bodhisattva of Compassion is an extremely rare depiction seldom seen in carved Buddhist statues. According to the Lotus Sutra, Guanyin has 33 manifestations or forms, one of which is Songzi Guanyin or Child Giving Guanyin. This form originated in the 16th century and continued through the…
Cast iron hand-crafted kettles called “Tetsubin” in Japanese (literally iron pot”), have been produced for hundreds of years developed for use in the Japanese Tea Ceremony (chanoyu), loved teaware sought by tea aficionados. The iron content of these Japanese antiques altars the taste of boiled water, makes it richer, sweeter and has positive effects on…
Irvin calls Guanyin one of the Great Chinese Goddesses who are all imperially sanctioned and epitomize the feminine role of compassionate protectors who grant health, long life and safety to all regardless of their social position. This rare antique Guanyin carving depicts is gender neutral seated on a plain detachable pedestal in meditation (dhyana) with…
The Queen Mother of the West (Xiwangmu) is one of the most significant female Taoist-deities and one of the Great Chinese Goddesses with a huge syncretic cult following within Taoism, Popular Folk Religion and Buddhism. With immeasurable powers she controls life and creation, death and destruction and the ability to determine every living being’s lifespan….
This stoneware glazed garden stool was used by a wealthy family reflected in its complex designs, auspicious symbols and its use of so much cobalt blue, a highly prized and expensive mineral paint color normally used sparingly. The pierced side to side circles running through the inside from side to side and the pierced design…
The top design on this stoneware garden stool is a simplified open narcissus with a white and yellow center; it is a symbol of good fortune and prosperity. Below are intertwined double lozenges, followed on the lowest register of by white octagonal shapes and ending with a low orange-yellow rectangle pierced in the center. A…
Carved wood Guanyin images were enormously popular in China’s provincial regions created by local artisans who did not follow proscribed court artistic rules or iconography and integrated elements from Buddhist, Taoist and Popular Folk Religion traditions into a syncretic blend as one of the Great Chinese Goddesses (Irwin). She sits on a raised lotus rising…
Nanhai Guanyin of the South Seas images were especially popular during the Ming and Qing dynasties in both the imperially sanctioned and provincial rural traditions; this image reflects both traditions. Carved by a provincial artisan, she is a serene and majestic mature woman with a radiantly warm smile, rounded face and half-closed almond shaped eyes. …
This standing Guanyin reflects the Mahayana Buddhism Pure Land tradition popular during the Ming and Qing dynasties which holds the belief that Guanyin guides devotees upon their death to Amitabha Buddha’s Western Paradise where they may be reborn until ready for enlightenment. This carving is a provincial folk art representation that was placed on home…
Mazu is the Goddess of the Sea who protects seafaring populations and coastal populations and a tutelary deity venerated as the “Protector of the Sea.” A syncretic deity, she embraced by all Chinese peoples, in written traditions of the imperial Chinese hierarchy who officially deified her and built sanctioned monuments and temples to her since…
Chinese artisans devoted as much time and effort to create small accessories like home altar tables as they do with larger pieces. This home altar table is handcrafted with mortise-and-tenon joints, using no nails or glue which made it more stable and longer lasting. The surface blend multiple layers of different colors of blacks and reds…
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