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The Queen Mother of the West is one of the most significant of the female Taoist-deities and as a syncretic deity, has a huge Popular Religion and Buddhist cult following. She is one of the Great Chinese Goddesses and patron deity of women who controls life and death, creation and destruction and determines the life…
This rare 5 piece apple green Shiwan ceramic “garniture set” comprised of two vases, 2 candlestick holders and a large censer was originally placed on a family altar in a central room which was the focal point of an affluent Chinese dwelling. Ritually used to perform ancestral offerings on a daily, semimonthly, and seasonal basis, compete sets in excellent condition are relative rare.
The Keith Stevens’ article “An Unusual and Extraordinary Ancestral Image” describes a similar figure of a huntsman with a weapon, a flintlock gun, which he stated was the only ancestral image in his vast collection which “depicts the calling of the deceased.” (Stevens, Journal of Hong Kong) His piece was from Hunan, South Central China,…
This fine set of three elegant Ming dynasty attendants—one male and two female—are in a unique category of refinement and elegance that reflects the importance and high status of the tomb, the deceased and the family for which they were made. Standing on hexagonal bases with arms folded below their chests and presenting offerings to the deceased, their clothing and parts of the bases have a rare cobalt blue glaze. (Two have yellow glazed areas and all have painted unglazed areas.) Their removable heads are highly detailed and beautifully modeled fitting inside high collars. These figures are presented and sold as a remarkable set reflecting their original presentation and condition.
Produced in Thai kilns in the 14th to 15th centuries, Sawankhalok glazed stoneware lidded bowls were distributed through southeast Asia along with a variety of larger and smaller items. Lidded bowls like this were used to store many things, especially spices, powders and cosmetics, betel nut chewing materials, and medicine. It has an elegant mangosteen shape, alternating vibrant cream and brown glazes and stylized incised floral and geometric designs. The lid has a curved stem handle and a round raised calyx, a circle of radiating leaf-like projections that represents a mangosteen.
Produced in Thai kilns in the 14th to 15th centuries, Sawankhalok glazed stoneware lidded bowls were distributed through southeast Asia along with a variety of larger and smaller items. Lidded bowls like this were used to store many things, especially spices, powders and cosmetics, betel nut chewing materials, and medicine. This bowl rests on a thick foot, has a lid with a brown lotus bud handle and covered with decorative panels of underglaze brown crosshatch and vegetal scrolls.
This finely carved ancestor wears official’s attire and hat and sits in a horseshoe chair with his feet on a pedestal to emphasize his power and status, although he appears to be a lovwer level civilian official. It is masterfully carved and lacquered and is painted on front and back in red with traces of gilt – all propitious colors of “fu” as a wish for wealth, health, good fortune, long life and long life – that has faded over it years of use into a great patina.
During the Ming and Qing dynasties small images of Taoist officials and priests were often shown holding a cup of the elixir of life to place on home altars along with ancestor figures, house gods and other religious images to bring blessings (fu) to the household. By commissioning figures like this artful carving, families honored their ancestors and met their filial piety duties. Mounted on an acrylic stand.
Shiwan stoneware fruit offerings were placed on the altar during the Ming to substitute for or augment fresh offerings. The three peaches and lotuses on a footed bowl are auspicious Chinese symbols associated with springtime, fertility and a long healthy life for many generations.
This delicate and vibrant Qing dynasty Shiwan stoneware glazed sculpture represents fresh fruit that symbolizes life and new beginnings would have been placed on a temple or home altar to represent and/or augment plates of stacked fresh fruit. Fresh fruit symbolizes life and new beginnings. These offerings are still made to honor the family’s ancestors, communicate with deities and bring prosperity, good luck and health to the home and would be an auspicious and decorative addition to any home settings where family members past and present are honored.
Taoist images were represented as scholars, sages, heroes, deities, officials and priests. When these images are taken out of context they are difficult to identify so we describe them in generic terms. Seated on a backless chair wearing long flowing officials-robes with deep folds, we use the terms officials/priests for this image, since he his…
During the Ming and Qing dynasties small images of Taoist officials and priests were often shown holding a cup of the elixir of life to place on home altars along with ancestor figures, house gods and other religious images to bring blessings (fu) to the household. By commissioning figures like this artful carving, families honored their ancestors and met their filial piety duties. Mounted on an acrylic stand.
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