Chinese Brass Laughing Buddha, Budai, Shishou Mark, Qing Dynasty, China

A large and magnificent near life-sized Chinese carved and lacquered wood figure of a Buddha, Qing Dynasty, 19th century or earlier, southern China. The figure likely represents one of the Five Tathagatas, also known as Dhyani Buddhas or Wisdom Buddhas. More specifically, either Amitabha or Amoghasiddhi. Amitabha is the Buddha of infinite light, and represents the wisdom of observation and recognition. Amoghasiddhi is the Buddha of accomplishment, and represents the wisdom of perfected practices. The size and scale of the Buddha indicates it was made for temple worship. The large Buddha is portrayed seated in vajrasana, or full lotus position, with the soles of both feet facing up. His elegant hands, with impossibly long and slender fingers, perform shuni mudra, the gesture of bestowing patience. His right arm is bent at the elbow, the right hand raised to heart level. The left arm resting gently in his lap, the left hand at navel level. The Buddha is dressed in voluminous robes that wrap around his shoulders and body, and tied at the waist. The heavy fabric draping and pooling elegantly all around his robust body. His broad chest and right arm exposed. The Buddha's face is both solemn and beatific - his expression seeming to change depending on the angle of view. The most notable feature of his face is the large urna to the center of his forehead, set between a pair of painted, high arching brows over heavily lidded almond shaped eyes. A strong nose is set above a small mouth pursed in an ever so slight smile. Long pendulous earlobes touch his shoulders. The Buddha's hair arranged in the typical fashion, with "spikes" representing tight curls. A prominent ushnisha rises from the crown of his head, covered by more hair, and topped with a rounded protuberance. The Buddha is constructed from several blocks of wood, joined, carved and lacquered a deep red-brown with gold flecks...

A finely carved Chinese zitan wood figure of an unidentified bodhisattva, possibly Guanyin, late Qing Dynasty, circa 1900, China. The androgynous figure has a plump, almost matronly face, with downcast eyes and a gentle smile. The hair in long tresses, gathered and tied in a high chignon. The enlightened being is portrayed seated in dhyanasana, bare feet resting on crossed legs, both soles pointing up. Thick robes billow and drape around the full figured body. The hands display...

A Chinese early Qing Dynasty carved and lacquered wood figure of Guanyin, Southern China, 17th/18th century. Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of Compassion and Mercy, is portrayed seated in dhyanasana, one hand raised in viktara mudra, the gesture of teaching and discourse. The great bodhisattva is dressed in heavy, loose robes tied at the chest, with a mantle draped over his shoulders. He looks serenely outwards from heavily lidded eyes. Guanyin's face carved beautifully with somewhat feminine features. A large five pointed crown sits upon his head. The larger leaves of the crown carved with indistinct images of the Buddha. The statue was originally fully lacquered in the deep red gilt lacquer typical of Southern Chinese Buddhist sculpture...

A sublime Chinese carved boxwood figure of the Bodhisattva of Compassion, Avalokiteshvara, called Guanyin in Chinese, mid-Qing dynasty. The an...

A fantastic Chinese cast bronze censer in the form of two Buddhistic lions play fighting, late Qing Dynasty, late 19th century, China. The censer formed as a pair of Buddhistic li...

A sweet and lovely Chinese bamboo carving of the sage Dongfang Shuo, mid-Qing dynasty, 18th century, China. Well carved form a single section o...

A Qing dynasty, hand carved, lustrous, solid natural nephrite green jade Buddha. Carved seated on a rock against flame-shaped mandorla, the broad-faced figure rendered with a serene expression by downcast eyes beneath high arched brows above pursed lips, flanked by long pendulous ear lobes and beneath a pronounced hairline framing the forehead and hair gathered into a bun. Buddha holds a vase in the left hand while his right hand rests on the right knee. A long robe drapes gracefully pooling around the legs exposing the right foot. The prominent "y" shape formed by the strong nose and high brows is typical of 18th century Qian Long...

An antique Chinese Qing hand painted terracotta head from the 19th century, with striking features and headdress. Created in China during the Qing Dynasty, this painted terracotta head captures our attention with its soft colors and nicely distressed appearance complimenting its striking features perfectly. Topped with a tall headdress, this Chinese head sculpture...

A fun piece. Nicely hand painted and detailed. Made of light metal of some sort. Was acquired from a collection of Chinese and South-East Asian artifacts...

This red coral specimen, with flowing lines and organic form, is a beautiful example of how the work of nature can be, and has been, celebrated as a...

A Chinese Qing Dynasty period hand-carved wooden temple corbel from the 19th century with detailed figures and custom base. Created in China during the ...

A 19th century Chinese standing priestess sculpture made from terracotta during the later stages of the Qing dynasty with traces of original paint. This small hollow statue displays ...