Showing 241–252 of 314 results
In China and Japan cats are often portrayed in the form of small teapots that provide individualized servings and better retain heat for the tea. White porcelain with a clear glaze was often the preferred form for ta teaware pouring vessel, as it was viewed as more elegant. Since mao (ē«), the word for cat…
In China and Japan, cats are often portrayed as small-teapots that provide individualized tea servings and better retain heat. White porcelain was the preferred pottery form for preparing tea as it was viewed as more elegant. Since Mao (ē«), the word for cat, is a homophone for octogenarian, it is a well-known Chinese longevity symbol…
After the Qing dynasty fell in 1912 and was replaced with the Chinese Republic, porcelain production declined in imperial kilns but was revived in Southern China’s Jiangxi Province which made high-quality finely designed porcelains in private kilns. With few restraints, they produced more colorful pieces with unique Western shapes and styles. This small Republic porcelain…
This extraordinary rare piece is a special Chinese Popular Religion image of a Buddhist bodhisattva seated atop a round lotus throne with five arched and pointed petals atop a recumbent ox. It is a variant of Guanyin sitting in a typical posture with one leg up and the other bent in the position of royal…
Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion in Mahayana and Pure Land Buddhism has 33 manifestations, each who hears the cries of humanity and delivers them from suffering or desire through her compassion, wisdom and skill. Her images are always gentle, calm and sweet, reflecting her compassion, wisdom, serenity and love that calms those who are angry…
This rare and beautiful cadence drum was used in a Chinese temple to help monks and chantersĀ think about the meaning of the texts they recite. Carved fish scales and two fish heads embrace a pearl carved on the handle to symbolize unanimity and accord. The fish pair is similar to the popular pair of…
According to Buddhist scriptures the conception and birth of Shakyamuni, the historical Buddha, were miraculous. Immediately after birth, he walked in seven directions, one hand pointing to heavens, the other to earth symbolizing his supremacy over all realms and lotus sprung up around him. The Buddha is depicted as baby but with fully formed mature…
This special and important carving of Joseph with the Christ child from Kerala reflects a blend of Portuguese and European traditions with the indigenous traditions of South India. Christian missionaries built churches in Kerala from 1510 (St. Francis Church in Kochi) through the18th century and brought with them European carvings, paintings, and other large and…
This statue reflects the Tantric Buddhism (Vajrayana or Esoteric) tradition involving mystical concepts and practices, elaborate rituals and a strong hierarchical structure that departs from mainstream Buddhism. Many Chinese Buddhist, Taoist and Tantric deities are either very difficult to identify or are confused with other divinities, as they are sometimes presented without identifying attributes or…
The enamel painted designs on the front of this Yixing teapot have recognizable symbols relating to a wish for long and healthy life. This scene from the Peking opera Romance of Three KingdomsĀ romanticizes historical Han dynasty Three Kingdoms period events and includes symbolic images of the two bowing men on the left holding brooms…
Balinese carvings and masks are ethnic folk art and a blend of Hinduism and its initial animism. Most masks made in Bali are from pulai wood that rarely cracks and is easier to carve. As it is not native to Lombok, carvers there useĀ a variety of woods some of which were dense with others light….
During the Song Dynasty earthenware unglazed brick tiles made using a mould were produced to decorate inner chamber walls of tombs and government and public buildings. Used as funerary decorations to wish the deceased happiness and comfort in their afterlife, these Song Brick Tiles are another example of a mingqi ancestral item. Without knowledge of…
End of content
End of content