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The Fulani are the most numerous nomadic people on earth and one of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa. Mostly Muslim, they are primarily nomads and sedentary farmers. For centuries theyc reated African metalwork and jewelry in the form of arm and ankle bracelets as symbols of wealth and status, fashion adornments and for…
The Fulani are the most numerous nomadic people on earth and one of the largest ethnic groups in West-Africa. Mostly Muslim and primarily nomads and sedentary farmers, for centuries they created African metalwork and jewelry in the form of arm and ankle bracelets. They were symbols of wealth and status, fashion adornments for birth, coming…
This stoneware glazed garden stool was used by a wealthy family reflected in its complex designs, auspicious symbols and its use of so much cobalt blue, a highly prized and expensive mineral paint color normally used sparingly. The pierced side to side circles running through the inside from side to side and the pierced design…
The top design on this stoneware garden stool is a simplified open narcissus with a white and yellow center; it is a symbol of good fortune and prosperity. Below are intertwined double lozenges, followed on the lowest register of by white octagonal shapes and ending with a low orange-yellow rectangle pierced in the center. A…
Chinese wealth gods are ubiquitous and often appear and are venerated at home altasr, temples, and business establishments. Yang writes(p. 76) worship of wealth gods was one of the most common cult practices in China among all strata of society from the poor to the wealthy but especially by the merchant class. This resulted from…
The Hou (Hǒu) is the most powerful of the mythical animals in Chinese beliefs, a composite of 10 animals and revered for its ability to gather and guard money for its master, defend him from evil, and protect against bad fortune. As the mount of Guanyin, it sometimes resembles, as here, a Buddhist lion or…
This standing Guanyin reflects the Mahayana Buddhism Pure Land tradition popular during the Ming and Qing dynasties which holds the belief that Guanyin guides devotees upon their death to Amitabha Buddha’s Western Paradise where they may be reborn until ready for enlightenment. This carving is a provincial folk art representation that was placed on home…
Burmese carvings are known for fine craftsmanship, masterful decoration, and functional items including carved heddle pulleys used in strip-weaving. Used in pairs at the top of the loom, heddle pulleys are functional and aesthetic and usually decorated with auspicious images symbolizing figures or animals protecting the weaver, assuring good quality weaving, and pleasing the gods…
Stoneware teapots like this were commonly used in Chinese villages as domestic wares, often accompanied by a a set of cups. This hexagonal pot is finely designed with deep crevices at the joint of each facet, a small curved spout and small round lid with fitted stopper, and a yoked rounded handle with spiral decorations…
Hand bells are used in daily puja (rituals), placed on a home altar, and rung to call the devoted to worship and ask the gods to grace their devotees with their presence. Their sound creates a spiritual atmosphere and increases the intensity of the Hindu religious experience, and bells are an important part of Hinduism…
Oil lamps (diya) are used daily by Hindus throughout India for prayer rituals (puja) performed on a home altar or in temples for devotional worship. Hindus believe that diyas are essential, as light itself is the absence of darkness and where evil forces dwell. Light and the act of lighting a lamp signify purity, virtuosity,…
After her death at age 28, Mazu was immortalized as a cult figure and worshipped as a one of the tutelary Taoist deities as “the Protector at Sea” among seafarers in coastal China and was worshipped especially by older women. In oral legends, she was the daughter of a Buddhist fisherman, revered for her filial…
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