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The Fulani are the most numerous nomadic people on earth and one of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa. Mostly Muslim, they are primarily nomads and sedentary farmers. For centuries theyc reated African metalwork and jewelry in the form of arm and ankle bracelets as symbols of wealth and status, fashion adornments and for…
The Fulani are the most numerous nomadic people on earth and one of the largest ethnic groups in West-Africa. Mostly Muslim and primarily nomads and sedentary farmers, for centuries they created African metalwork and jewelry in the form of arm and ankle bracelets. They were symbols of wealth and status, fashion adornments for birth, coming…
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…
For centuries Chinese believed ceramic pillows increased the health, vitality and comfort of the body and soothe the spirit. Their surfaces provided coolness during hot weather and were preferred over soft pillows which were believed to rob the body’s vitality and energy. Made with a variety of glazes and designs, it was believed a pillow…
Chinese wealth gods are ubiquitous and often appear and are venerated at home altasr, temples, and business establishments. Yang writes(p. 76) worship of wealth gods was one of the most common cult practices in China among all strata of society from the poor to the wealthy but especially by the merchant class. This resulted from…
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…
This delicate Mahayana Pure Land Buddhism Guanyin sits in meditation (dhyana mudra) representing concentration and peace hands in lap and legs crossed in lotus position (padmasana). Guanyin’s (Sanskrit Padmapani meaning “born of the lotus”) close association with the lotus is seen on her complex two-part throne. Resting on a footed base, the lotus throne is…
During the Ming and Qing dynasties, artists created small scale icons of Bodhisattva Guanyin and other deities for private use on a home altar and in local temples and shrines. While more sanctioned images and those made for wealthier devotees were created in porcelain, jade, bronze and ivory, those created for Popular Folk Religion, Taoist…
The Hou (Hǒu) is the most powerful of the mythical animals in Chinese beliefs, a composite of 10 animals and revered for its ability to gather and guard money for its master, defend him from evil, and protect against bad fortune. As the mount of Guanyin, it sometimes resembles, as here, a Buddhist lion or…
This charming antique Guanyin carving sits in meditation (dhyana mudra), legs in padmasana soles of her upturned feet visible, hands in lap with thumbs lightly touching. Created by provincial artisan as a folk rather than imperial carving to be placed on a personal home altar she has softer and modest facial features and is more…
Guanyin, the most beloved deity in the Mahayana Buddhism, embodies compassion and loving-kindness and hears the cries of all beings. During the late Ming and early Qing dynasties, Guanyin statues were commissioned by provincial artisans for a home altar that were humble and more relatable to the rural devotees as in this statue where she…
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