Showing 181–192 of 267 results
This image from Guandong wears typical Taoist priest or shaman attire – an undergarment crossed at the neck, an overcoat clasped at the waist and a double-winged high hat centered with an image of a taotie. The taotie is a mystical animal sometimes on the hat of Taoist priests or shamans as a guardian or…
The antique Ethiopian Cross is unique as it is in crucifix form with an image of Christ, rarely used in the Coptic tradition. This delicate yet powerful pendant reflects the mastery of the skilled craftsman who created it. Using the lost wax process, it was embellished a with the Christ figure and decorative arm ornaments, making it a wonderful one-of-a-kind pendant with a warm patina and signs of wear consistent with age and use. The necklace chain necklace is not included.
Antique silver spoons like this were used to offered water to the gods to show respect. Water is used by Hindus to cleanse and purify one’s body, mind and spirit. The lotus design is a symbolic connection to Lakshmi, the Hindu Goddess of wealth and prosperity.
This striking Barry Brinker necklace features a pendant of black cross shaped pearl encased in a wide silver casing. The rear and tag on the clasp are incised with the iconic BB signature and flame. The fittings and rolo style chain are 950 sterling silver. Although the symbolism of black pearls varies by culture, it generally symbolizes beauty, power, wealth and protection. In this piece it creates a beautiful natural iridescent in the shape of a spiritual cross.
This marvelous silver brooch is a one-of-a kind artistic jewelry piece created in a silver casing by well-known popular jewelry designer Barry Brinker more than two decades ago. This beautiful and striking brooch has three large natural white freshwater pearl crosses which seemingly float with 950 silver fittings.
This magnificent Barry Brinker choker necklace has a pendant cross consisting of six round black natural freshwater pearls. The rolo style silver chain, suspension loop signed using the initials BB, and other components are made with 950 sterling silver and has his signature flame shaped clasp with his initials.
This fascinating thick Song pottery brick is a low-fired depiction of a dwarf foreigner with a rotund belly, a large head and nose, an open mouth and abnormal features. The Chinese believed dwarfs could ward off evil spirits and sickness, attract peace and blessings (fu) and were very wise. Images of dwarfs became so popular, some were produced in numbers.
As part of the The Song dynasty cultural expansion, government and public buildings and tombs were built with interior walls decorated with earthenware unglazed mold-made brick tiles. This fanciful vibrant tile with a scalloped frame portrays two people playing a board game called wéiqí which originated in China over 2500 years ago. It is the world’s oldest and most complex board game still played.
This carved hardwood human figure is an honored Dyak ancestor effigy (hampatong) used to protect villages, people, graves, longhouses and paths to rivers and rice fields. Like most Dyak standing figures, this one is carved in comparatively low relief with arms held placed at the heart and chest and/or sometimes covering the covering the genitals and its facial and bodily features have deteriorated a bit, are rather shallow but are recognizable. It comes on a black Lucite base and was purchased in Bali in the mi 1970s. This piece is featured in a VA instagram post.
The beautiful contemporary bronze Buddha is rendered in Thai Lopburi style in Earth Witnessing (bhumisparsha mudra) wearing a simple two-part Theravada Buddhist monk’s robe that shows his religious devotion. He sits on a highly decorative pierced throne on a three footed curved base. The composition is a double triangle: the three-footed throne itself is a horizontal triangle as it recedes backward in space, and the Buddha and the throne form a vertical triangle. The heavy statue is filled with a cement binder, and it is in excellent condition.
Beadwork toran tapestries like this are traditionally placed at home doorways and thresholds to symbolize warmth, positivity, and protection and invite good luck and blessings to the home. They are also used in processions, religious festivals, family milestones and for marriage ceremonies and are part of the dowry, This vintage toran has the Tree of Life that connects the earth, ancestors and heavenly deities and symbolizes the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth and spiritual growth, enlightenment, divine wisdom.
Guandi, the God of War and Justice and Protector of China and its citizens was a Chinese model of loyalty, virtue and morality and was depicted in Temples and home shrines throughout China. This antique figurine was probably part of a larger carving. He wears military maille, black gloves with a carved taotie which is a warning against gluttony and is covered in gold as a sign of power. The open back confirms it was consecrated by a Taoist priest. Mounted on a frosted acrylic stand.
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