Showing 13–24 of 314 results
Attendant figures are usually presented on an altar in pairs flanking revered figure they honor. This lovely carving is an enlightened being indicated by her pendulous ears, an elevated flowing ribbon, and blissful smile. She traditionally carries offerings which might be food, fruit, medicine, or other unique items. Her extremely pleasing face highlights her modesty as…
This sweet diminutive antique-Chinese-wood-carving of an enlightened Buddhist attendant on a double lotus base that was commissioned by the proud father to celebrate and bless a marriage as indicated by the inscription on the rear 陈门李氏双全 that indicates that it belonged to the Lee family. Although its meaning is not entirely clear, it appears to…
Attendants like this often accompanied Taoist figures on home altars, along with other deities and spiritual images. They frequently presented offerings to them which, when tied with ribbons, symbolized “ longevity for generations”. This 18-19th century carving may have accompanied a significant deity as the statue was covered in gilt and lacquer, some which has naturally darkened from age and from years of incense, age and use.
This charming miniature ewer or small pitcher was made during the Tongzhi Period 1856-1875) and used to pour soy sauce, oils or other liquids. The spout and handle are elegantly curved and thick cobalt blue designs are set on a spotted grey ground with a chrysanthemum on each side and abstract plantain curved vertical leaf…
Chrysanthemum and bindweed decorative motifs are often used deigns on surfaces of underglaze cobalt blue and white porcelains, were especially popular in the 1860s – 1880s during the Tongzhi period and appear on both domestic and export ceramic pieces. Since bindweed grows wrapped around pine trees, it is a symbol of the close attachments formed…
Scenes with landscapes, distant mountains, bodies of water and architectural structures in nature are common subjects in the Chinese aesthetic and closely related to the scholar’s beliefs and their way of life that includes Four Scholarly Pursuits (siyi) and Four Treasures of the Scholar’s Studio. The three main Chinese belief systems of Taoism, Confucianism and…
Nandi is among the most frequent Hindu deities worshiped in public places, temples, homes, or on a home altar throughout India. As one of Hinduism’s mythical animals, Nandi is Shiva’s vahana, (his mount that transports him), attendant and leader of his attendants and guardian of all four-footed animals. A recumbent image of Nandi on a…
Metal oil lamps (diyas) made for deities in Hinduism are recognized by distinct designs, symbols or figures which identify specific deities to devotees wish to offer their prayers used in homes and temples for daily prayers (puja). This heavy brass antique votive from India is a Vishnu diya with a shallow yoni shaped cup, short…
A stupa is a memorial shrine and a sacred burial mound to house sacred relics associated with the Buddha or other Buddhist saintly persons, a symbol of the Buddha’s enlightenment and a model of the Buddhist cosmos (McArthur, p. 179). Initially they were hemispherical mound-like shapes and were transformed in East Asia into a pagoda…
Nandi is among the most frequent Hindu deities worshiped in public places, temples, homes, or on a home altar throughout India. As one of Hinduism’s mythical animals, Nandi is Shiva’s vahana, (his mount that transports him), attendant and leader of his attendants and guardian of all four-footed animals. A recumbent image of Nandi on a…
Shakyamuni Buddha was born Prince Siddhartha Gautama in 560 BCE in Lumbini Park in the Himalayan foothills, son of king Śuddhodana Gautama of the Shakya clan and Queen Maya. Buddhist scriptures state his conception and birth were miraculous and that he was born fully formed. This rural statue portrays him fully developed standing on infant…
This extraordinary carving is Shakyamuni Buddha in the Earth Witnessing hand position called Bhumisparsha. It is one of the four major events in his life – his Birth, Enlightenment, First Sermon and Death – which are most often portrayed in Southeast Asian Theravada Buddhism. His right hand symbolically reaches to touch the earth to call…
End of content
End of content