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The delicately carved antique Guanyin sits in meditation. Masterful yet simple, this provincial image brings quiet energy to its surroundings and imparts a sense of serenity and peace.
Statues like this vibrant Guanyin, especially popular during the Qing dynasty, epitomizes the best of folk art spiritual traditions of provincial artisans who replaced imperial constructs with provincial depictions that combined Buddhist, Taoist and Popular Religion traditions. Her high crown is centered with Amitabha Buddha surrounded by swirling florals, the indented urna (third eye) on her forehead would have held a cut glass. Humble, charming and approachable portrayals of Guanyin like this were placed in homes and small community temples.
As a wish for a prosperous and healthy family with many sons, this small table elegant probably was in a young couple’s bedroom to hold small personal statues and store precious items. Guanyin sits a hǒu holding lotuses in the right panel and the left has fertility symbols rats with melons. It is perfect for creating a personal home altar and a unique wedding gift.
This elegant Jambupati Buddha is seated in lavish gilt court attire in Earth Witnessing mudra, one hand in his lap and one reaching over to touch the earth. Dazzling gilt covers his body, elaborate crown with butterfly flanges and his kingly garment that is “bejeweled” with multi- colored cut glass inset pieces. His multi-tiered throne emphasizes his royal status. He looks directly at onlookers with confidence and a slight smile to emphasize his spiritual and material power.
Each of this whimsical gold and red-burgundy lacquered pair of male fu lions sits erect on a high pedestal heads thrown back with flaring ears, bulging eyes, decorative stylized manes and a small bushy tail. Their spirituality is displayed by the pair silently emitting the blessed mantra “aum”: the open mouthed lion forming an “au,” and the other completing it with a closed mouth to form “mmm.” The workmanship on these pieces is masterful, although rustic and provincial, and they are rare with their Buddhist symbolism and because most pairs of fu lions pairs were lost during China’s modernization.
Given that this image of the infant Buddha is missing both arms it is remarkable that it is remains a powerful yet charming sculpture. Created by a skilled rural artisan from one dense piece of wood, this rare statue of the the young Buddha is a humble child in a relaxed and confident stance with a youthful torso, a round head, bent legs, wearing a modest waist-cloth and standing on a small plain round base.
Whimsical carvings of fu lions were the most popular mythical animals in Chinese homes, especially during the Ming and Qing dynasties, as free standing statues, designs on furniture, architectural elements and functional pieces in private homes or gardens or on a home altar to bring fu and the blessings to the home. This incredibly cute…
Early Chinese Mahayana images portrayed Lohans as followers of the Buddha, living in the human world in human forms .Through their spirituality and asceticism they achieved enlightenment and were no longer subject to rebirths but choose to not enter nirvana and remain as guardians to preserve Buddhist teachings, protect the Buddhist faith and lead others…
This superb, colorful and rare carved Buddha is seated in vitarka-mudra, the teaching hand position. His delicately carved calm face has a benevolent and compassionate expression with a slight reassuring smile. The elegant body appears to float above deeply carved swirls reminiscent of clouds. Fine facial features, the graceful body and exquisitely carved and painted drapery make this a truly impressive and striking image. Given its size and masterful carving , it should hold a place and be revered commensurate with its spirituality and artistry.
In this Pure Land large provincial carving Guanyin is more human and humble than idealized. The center lobe of this splendid oversized crown with gold has a deeply carved rustic Amitabha Buddha on a lotus surrounded by a pointed aureole. She is less formal with bright colored peasant garments, a relaxed laitsana pose with both legs relaxed and bent, bare feet dangling above the pedestal and her less formal teaching hand position. Quite unusual, it is a charming, innocent portrayal of a spiritual subject.
This powerful, exquisite and rare almost life-size Guanyin seated in teaching mudra to spread the dharma, radiates serene spiritual energy. To optimally enjoy this statue, she should be placed in an elevated position as it was modeled to be viewed from below. Magnificently carved and covered with lacquer, this statue will fill any environment with meditative tranquility. Authentic Buddhist carved images of this size, beauty, quality, and shape are very difficult to find, especially after China’s modernization.
This Mazu, the protector of sea farers, is portrayed as the imperially sanctioned “Empress of Heaven” seated on an elaborate horseshoe shaped dragon throne, hands clasped symbolically holding a hu tablet, adorned with elegant dragon robes, an official’s girdle, a flat-topped Empress headdress and small feet resting on a pair of gilt fu lions. Meant to be seen from all sides this beautiful carving is decorated on front and back.
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