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Finely carved from dense wood Mazu is the Heavenly Empress on a horseshoe chair, holding official’s girdle, phoenix hat with outstretched wings and cloud collar symbolizing her place in heaven.
As part of Burmese animistic and shamanistic beliefs hand built oxcarts were decorated with figurehead prows of mythical beings to guide the owner. Using their spiritual and magical powers they bestow good fortune and ward off malevolent spirits. The legendary figure here is probably a nat – a deified spirits of the deceased believed to have magical and protective powers seen on non religious items and in Buddhist temples, pagodas, home shrines, other spiritual structures throughout Burma.
Dressed in a red robe with a high neck collar, extremely wide sleeves extending below the knees and a belt around his waist, this ancestor figure portrayed as a civilian official standing on a rectangular base with hands together wearing a long civil official’s robe that extends to his shoes but has no rank badge indicated.
Miniature Taoist Thunder God who protects from injustice and punishes evildoers with his drum, mallet, chisel. Has bird’s beak and claws and dragon’s wings, rides a mythical hou. Part of bed frame carving with many protective deities.
Taoist official home altar carving painted on front and back with red, gilt and lacquer. Hands under ritual cloth symbolically holding a hu tablet associated with Taoist officials. Taoist were responsible for protecting against evil in this life, Buddhist for souls in next life.
This antique carving of a wood food offering with a lacquer coating was an auspicious ornament for a Chinese bed to bring the lucky couple prosperity, health and a happy life. The pomegranate on top is a fertility and the four peaches below are longevity symbols. The combination of the fruits is a wish for many sons and longevity and is perfect gift for newlyweds.
Lu Donghin, most celebrated of 8 Taoist Chinese Immortals, rides on clouds with a 2-edged sword to cut through greed, lust, sorrow. Venerated in temples, grottoes, sacred mountains, he is associated with medicine, elixir of life and power over evil spirits. This 18th large figure with cloud design on chest.
This ancestor figure, carved in boxwood the preferred wood softwood during the Qing Dynasty, is portrayed in the characteristic pose of a Chinese civilian official, grasping his official’s belt with his right hand to demonstrate his important stature – which was really not so important for this gentleman, given his humble seating furniture and his modest attire. His right hand rests on the his knee as he sits erect on a thick low-back pedestal. Unlike many officials who are serious, this one is more approachable, with simple deeply carved smiling features, high arching brows and a black painted mustache and beard.
Tudi Gong in horseshoe chair with typical kindly face, flowing beard, officials-attire: high hat, double waist belt, red color, holding a tael gold bar as wish for wealth. Most popular rural deity who protects small towns, residents and agriculture.
Exquisite carved Queen Mother of the West, elaborate phoenix in crown. Most significant Taoist female deity, patron of women, divine teacher, determines length of people’s lives, associated with virtue and peaches of immortality.
Reverent female Taoist attendant holding offering plate of 3 dumplings or fruits symbolizing 3 ancient gold or silver coins as a symbol of wealth and a wish for passing 3 imperial examination levels to assure the family’s status and financial stability.
Antique Chinese puppets were often made in several parts with removable heads. This antique carved head of a beauty has delicately painted features and an animal hair braided down the back. Since there is an area without hair towards the back, she likely originally wore a hat or headdress. A hole on top probably accommodated strings.
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