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Technique: Carved
Japanese Fine Large Old Stone Seated Shrine Buddha, 23 Inches
Located in South Burlington, VT
Roof Enhances Buddha
A handsome single stone seated Shrine Buddha in meditation and who complacently sits under the shrine roof with Kanj to each side of this sculpture- a rare form...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Stone
Japanese Antique Wood Carving Fish 1860s-1900s / Figurine Object Wabisabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an old carved wooden fish made in Japan.
It was made during the Meiji period (1860s-1900s) and was carefully carved one by one using chestnut wood. The annual ring pattern th...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Chestnut
Asian Hand Carved Painted Wooden Lucky Baby Buddha on Melon
Located in Clifton Springs, NY
Vintage hand carved and hand-painted baby Buddha sculpture depicts Buddha as a boy, kneeling and hugging a large melon, ready to fall asleep. The...
Category
Mid-20th Century Asian Chinoiserie Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood, Padouk
Japanese Tall 100 Year Old Stone Buddha, Hands in Prayer
Located in South Burlington, VT
A very good hand carved stone Buddha/Jizo Guardian sculpture set upon its own carved base
Good display candidate for your favorite indoor or outdoor space
In Japan, Kṣitigarbha, kn...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Edo Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Stone
Japanese Tall Pair Antique Stone Sun And Moon Pathway Lanterns, 36 Inches
Located in South Burlington, VT
Pair (2) Attractive Pathway Stone Lanterns
Wouldn't these antique garden stone lanterns look perfect for your garden entry or pathway, pool, patio, or deck ?
Attractive antique pet...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Stone
$3,840 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Old Japanese wooden rabbit figurine/20th century/carved animal
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a wooden rabbit made in the Taisho to Showa eras (20th century) in Japan.
The sculptor's name is engraved on the bottom, and it seems to have been carved by a person named "O...
Category
20th Century Japanese Taisho Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Small stone carved rabbit statue / 19th-mid 20th century / Around Korea
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a carved stone figurine of a rabbit with a unique design not found in old Japanese stone statues. From the taste of the shape, we can infer that it was made in Korea from the...
Category
Early 20th Century South Korean Other Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Stone
Magnificent Pair of Antique Tang Dynasty Style Carved Horses
Located in Delray Beach, FL
Step back in time with this stunning pair of antique wooden horses, meticulously carved in the style reminiscent of the illustrious Tang Dyna...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Japanese Antique Wood Carving Daruma 1860-1920s / Sculpture Wabi Sabi Mingei
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an old wooden form of Daruma made in Japan.
It is estimated to have been made between the Meiji and Taisho periods (1860s-1920s) and seems to have been made of cedar wood.
De...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Cedar
Japanese Antique Stone Carving Penis 1800s-1860s / Sculpture Wabisabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This item is a stone carved penis statue made in Japan. It is a very rare relic of folk belief made in the late Edo period (1800s-1860s).
Since ancient times, there has been a cultu...
Category
Mid-19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Stone
Antique Japanese wooden Buddha statue/Edo period/seated Tathagata statue
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a wooden Buddha statue made around the Edo period (1603-1868).
It is likely to be Amida Nyorai, the highest-ranking Buddha statue, which is an enlightened being.
This Buddha ...
Category
18th Century Japanese Edo Antique Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Cypress
Japanese Massive Antique Red Kurama Spirit Stone Lantern
Located in South Burlington, VT
Just discovered from an old Japanese Shiga garden and from our recent Japanese Acquisitions.
Please view our video of our newest discovery.........
Here's a beautiful and unique wa...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Stone, Granite
Japanese Huge Antique Stone Pagoda Lantern 180 Inches- Exceptional Garden Art
Located in South Burlington, VT
Just discovered from an old Kyoto garden- impressive garden Sculpture, 15 Feet Tall
Message or Call us for details or to reserve...
For the finest garden- a spiritual representation of five earthly and celestial elements.
Japan, a monumental antique stone pagoda tower that is nearly five meters , about 180” tall,
hand carved from solid granite, Taisho period circa 1920s, and a spiritual representation of five earthly and celestial elements.
This pagoda rivals a similar example given by Sapporo, Japan to the Portland, Oregon Japanese garden (See Portland's Japanese Garden Pagoda...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Granite
Large Italian A.Santini Faux Ivory Tusk Carving God of Longevity Chinoiserie 20c
Located in Richmond, CA
A huge Italian A.Santini faux ivory resin sculpture in a curved tusk form, standing 25" tall, of a detailed Chinese god of Longevity standing with a child, mounted upon a stand with ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Italian Chinese Export Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Resin
Japanese Antique Wood Carving Large Penis 1800s-1860s / Sculpture Wabi Sabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an old carved large wooden penis statue made in Japan.
It was made during the Edo period (1800s-1860s) and is made of cedar.
In the Tōhoku region of Japan, there has long be...
Category
Late 19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Cedar
Antique Victorian Vintage Chinese Ivory Bovine Walking Stick Cane Carved Dragon
Located in Dublin, Ireland
An Exceptionally Fine Example of a Chinese Export Hand Carved Bovine Ivory Walking Stick of small proportions, last quarter of the Nineteenth Centu...
Category
Late 19th Century British Victorian Antique Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Horn, Ebony
Japanese Three Authentic Bamboo Water Ladles "Hishaku" Fine Handcrafted Quality
Located in South Burlington, VT
This is one set of three (3) authentic Japanese made bamboo water ladles -hishaku- handcrafted new quality and often seen in use at Buddhist, Shinto shrines, and private gardens.
...
Category
Late 20th Century Japanese Showa Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
$63 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Late Qing, Pre-1891 Chinese Carved Soapstone Figure
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Late Qing, pre-1891 carved soapstone figure, Chinese. Elegantly carved of a wise man holding a baby & a peach on a carved rocky outcropping soapstone attached stand. Unmarked.
7 5/8"...
Category
19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Soapstone
Antique Chinese Snuff Bottle Black Hardstone Qing Dynasty
Located in Canterbury, GB
Antique mid Qing hand carved black hardstone snuff bottle.
Produced in China towards the end of the 19th century.
Beautiful shape with strong body and shoulders.
Very well hollow...
Category
Early 19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Agate
Chinese Cache Ancient Heavenly Green Jade Bi , 94 pieces
Located in South Burlington, VT
This is a guaranteed authentic ancient Chinese jade bi cache of ninety four (94) discs from the Qijia culture, Northwestern China, circa 3000-2000 BCE.
Including Our Certificate of ...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Chinese Antique Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Jade
Japanese Exceptional Antique Granite Stone Christian Lantern
Located in South Burlington, VT
Museum Piece.
Please view our video.
Call or message us for additional details.
Japan, an early “Christian” granite stone lantern with weathering from great age, and dating to...
Category
19th Century Japanese Edo Antique Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Granite
Antique Chinese Carved Hetain W/Celadon Jade "The Monkey Family" 18/19th Century
Located in Norton, MA
Antique Chinese Carved Hetain White/Celadon Jade "The Monkey Family" 3 monkeys, father, mother, and kid. They are pulling a lot of coins into a giant bag—good use of russet skin colo...
Category
Late 18th Century Chinese Other Antique Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Jade
Antique Large Hand-Carved Garden Stone, 19th Century
Located in South Burlington, VT
An ideal garden ornament, sturdy weather proof planter display base or a rock solid all weather stone base for a special sculpture.
From China, comes this large 20.5 inch rectangu...
Category
19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Limestone
$396 Sale Price
20% Off
Cambodian antique stone Buddha figurine/Angkor period/Khmer art
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
We will introduce very old Cambodian sculpture art.
This was made as part of architectural sculptures such as temples.
It is thought to be a Baphuon...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Japanese Other Antique Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Sandstone
Japanese Old Wood Carving Dog 1950s-1970s / Figurine Sculpture Wabi Sabi
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is an old carved wooden dog made in Japan.
It was produced in the late Showa period (1950s-1970s) and is made of zelkova wood, which has a beautiful grain. The robust and expres...
Category
Late 20th Century Japanese Showa Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Japanese Tall Antique Stone Crowned Buddha Shakyamuni 19 Inches Original Paint
Located in South Burlington, VT
An attractive and very old Meiji period early 20th century granite stone "Crowned" Buddha - Shyaka Nyorai Sakyamuni- sculpture with staff and "Hoju" the wish granting jewel in her...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Stone, Granite
Chinese Dragon Telephone, circa 1980s
Located in New York, NY
A very beautiful, rare, and exotic Chinese dragon landline telephone, circa 1980s-1990s. Phone is a hard carved wood with all the details of a dragon (claws, tongue, horns, tail, etc.) Phone handle has a beautiful oval piece of polished emerald green jade or other similar stone along with carvings in Chinese. A 'red' light on top of dragon's pearl indicates phone is 'on'. Dragon's green eyes light up when phone rings...
Category
Late 20th Century Chinese Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Jade
Japanese Old Wood Carving Bear 1950s-1970s / Sculpture Figurine
Located in Chōsei District Nagara, JP
This is a vintage hand-carved wooden bear from Japan.
It was crafted in the mid-Showa period (1950s–1970s) and has long been cherished as a traditional folk craft from Hokkaido.
The ...
Category
1950s Japanese Showa Vintage Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Cedar
China Large Steep Mountain Peaks Natural Marble Stone "Painting", Signed
Located in South Burlington, VT
Steep Mountain Peaks - Chinese extraordinary natural marble stone painting of a mythical sky and high mountains landscape called a dream stone Shih-hua.
It is a large monumental masterwork of nature. Totally natural.
Dimensions:
Hardwood frame: 38.25 inches tall and 17.5 inches width
Site: 35 inches tall and 14 inches width
This thin marble stone painting is approximately 3/8 inch thick and is cut from a large slab of rough material revealing a unique, incredible pattern in white, cream and dark green colors.
Signed with red seal of poetic artist upper left and includes hanger and hardware on reverse.
This unique work of art was from historic Dali marble found in the Cangshan mountains of western China. These mysterious mountains, unique in the world, are known for yielding incredible and fantastic natural landscaped works of art created over tens of millions of years from mineral inclusions that affected the process of ancient organic material which transformed into limestone and finally resulted in marble- a metamorphic hard stone.
This art form is centuries of years old since the Ming dynasty. Dream stones became favored art in the west particularly since the 19th century when French collectors named them Pierres de reve.
History of Green Flower dream stone paintings...
Category
20th Century Chinese Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Marble
$1,600 Sale Price
57% Off
Pair Antique Chinese Carved Celadon Jade Guardian Lions ROC Early 20th Century
Located in Richmond, CA
This exquisite pair of celadon jade guardian lions hails from the early Republic of China period, a testament to the era's craftsmanship. The lions are intricately carved from high-q...
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Chinese Export Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Jade
$2,065 Sale Price / set
30% Off
Antique, Rare & Decorative Pair of Hand Carved and Hand Painted Horse Sculptures
Located in Lisse, NL
Stunning and unique pair of matching horse sculptures.
With a combined experience of almost 30 years in the antiques trade, we were thrilled to once again find beautifully hand-crafted and decorative antiques that we had never seen before. From the density and the weight we can see and feel that these highly decorative horse sculptures are made of a tropical hardwood. Like, for example, with antique mirror frames or church sculptures these horses too were first covered with a mixture of chalk and glue so that the paint would hold longer. And, as so often is the case with antiques, the colors that were used for painting these horses are so much more beautiful than anything you find in this day and age that they truly are an absolute joy to look at. From the colors, the wear, the materials and the techniques that were used to create these horses we can see that these are 19th century antiques. However and unfortunately we lack the knowledge to be able to tell you from which country these highly decorative and sizeable works of art originate. We just can't find matching style horse sculptures anywhere on the worldwide web. They could be Chinese or Nepalese, but they could also be Persian or Arabian. We just have not been able to find out. What we do know is that they are definitely antique, they are in beautiful condition (with some wear, consistent with their age), they are highly decorative, probably unique and they have a look and feel that will instantly change the atmosphere of the room they are in.
Mind you, our sharp price for this wonderful pair of horse sculptures...
Category
Mid-19th Century Chinese Tang Antique Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Pair of Large Chinese Carved Hardstone Emperor & Empress Portraits
Located in Delray Beach, FL
multi dimensional hand carved and hand painted wall hanging Depicting a Chinese Dynasty Emperor and Empress. Vivid detailed stone carving of the two looking forward in grace
Except...
Category
20th Century Chinese Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Soapstone
$1,600 Sale Price / set
38% Off
Japanese Tall Antique Garden Stone Crowned Buddha Shakyamuni 25", Signed
Located in South Burlington, VT
An old early 20th century granite stone "Crowned" Buddha - Shyaka Nyorai Sakyamuni- sculpture with staff and "Hoju" the wish granting jewel in her left hand, the whole perched upon...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Stone, Granite
Japanese Signed Hand Carved Wood Noh Theater Mask of Doji, Early Showa Period
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful, wonderfully crafted, alluring mask made for Japanese Noh theatre.
The mask is handcrafted and hand-carved from natural wood and is signed by the maker.
This mask is of the immortal character Doji who symbolizes perpetual and eternal youth ("doji" literally translates as "child") in the Noh theater world. He is portrayed as a handsome male...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Japanese Temple Shrine Buddhist Monk Juzu Prayer Wood Beads Mala Rosary Necklace
Located in Studio City, CA
A beautiful string of Japanese hand-crafted Buddhist Juzu mala beads made of natural wood. These rosary-type prayer bead necklaces were used by Buddhist monks in temple prayers/ritua...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Rock Crystal Quartz Snuff Bottle with Blue Calcite
Located in Somis, CA
A beautiful natural rock crystal quartz snuff bottle. Carved on the raised exterior, a vase with ruyi and evergreens atop an elephant. A large scholar's stone to the right with shoot...
Category
20th Century Chinese Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Multi-gemstone, Rock Crystal
$175 Sale Price
68% Off
Japanese Resin Three Section Hand Carved Inro & Netsuke of Horses
Located in San Diego, CA
A nice vintage Japanese resin three-section inro and netsuke of horses, circa early 1950s. The piece is well carved with wonderful detail and in very go...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Resin
Japanese Oversized Wise Buddha Hand Carved Boxwood Sculpture Early 20th Century
Located in Douglas Manor, NY
1157 Oversized hand carved statue of Okimono of Jurojin (godof langevity)
a symbol of long life carved from a solid block of boxwood.
Category
Early 1900s Antique Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Boxwood
$1,200 Sale Price
57% Off
Japan Important Large Pair Early Shinto Temple Lions Hand-Carved, 18th Century
Located in South Burlington, VT
Just discovered and coming from a Shinto Shrine deaccession
Call or message us for details or to reserve.
Japan an early and superb pair (2) of mythical Shi Shi Temple Foo Dogs als...
Category
18th Century Japanese Edo Antique Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
$22,800 Sale Price / set
40% Off
Japanese Antique Edo Hand Carved Wood Noh Theater Mask Otobide 17th-18th Century
Located in Studio City, CA
A truly beautiful, wonderfully aged, alluring mask made for Japanese Noh theater. The naturally faded beauty and unique character drew us to this mask immediately.
The mask is handcrafted and hand-carved from natural wood, clearly by a master of his trade.
We believe this mask is of the Noh theatre character Otobide.
This mask dates back to the Edo Period (1603-1868). It comes with a wooden storage box (which may have been added at a later date).
A rare, unique, and exquisite mask. Finely carved and executed. Would be a great addition to any Japanese or Asian art/artifacts collection or an eye-catching stand-alone accent piece in about any setting.
Mask dimensions: 7.7" high, 5.7" wide, 2.1" deep...
Category
18th Century Japanese Edo Antique Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood, Lacquer, Paint
Japanese "Suiseki" Mountain View Scholar's Stone / Elegant Mountain Scenery
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
This is a stone mined in Japan.
Not only in China but also in Japan from ancient times, rocks in the mountains have been shaved and stones for viewing have been quarried.
Such stones for appreciation are collectively called "suiseki".
Suiseki means "water" and "stone".
The name comes from the fact that I enjoyed pouring water on the stones and changing the color of the stones.
And this item is also Suiseki, but it is for viewing without splashing water.
It is made with the image of a mountain view.
The flow of the river...
Category
Mid-20th Century Japanese Showa Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Stone
Japanese Seated Praying Buddha Handsome Antique Stone
Located in South Burlington, VT
An older and substantial late 19th to early 20th century stone Buddha/Jizo Guardian sculpture in a mudra of prayer
Good garden candidate
In Japan, Kṣitigarbha, known as Jizō, or re...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Meiji Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Stone, Granite
$1,480 Sale Price / set
20% Off
Antique Chinese Carved Red Gemstone Snuff Bottle, Early 20th Century
Located in Norton, MA
A fine and beautiful carved red gemstone snuff bottle, a deep carving interior with a dark stone cap.
Category
Early 20th Century Chinese Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Agate, Rock Crystal
Large Zen Garden Shrine Head of Guanyin Buddha Statue
Located in San Juan Capistrano, CA
Large 20th century Chinese head of Guanyin. This piece is quite large and has been hand crafted by a skilled artisan from a single log. It measures 27 1/2” ...
Category
20th Century Chinese Qing Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Large Rose Quartz Ganesh Statue 5 lb
Located in Somis, CA
Crafted from the finest grade natural rose quartz sourced from Madagascar, this fine 5.15-lb statue of Ganesh is meticulously hand carved by an Indian artisan, with every detail exud...
Category
Late 20th Century Indian Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Rose Quartz
$960 Sale Price
20% Off
Thai Asian Large Carved Wood Gilt Lacquer Kneeling Praying Temple Shrine Figure
Located in Studio City, CA
Truly, a wonderful piece. We gravitated towards it upon first sight. Very well done, beautiful detail and coloring. Quite unusual and rare in this pose. Very well preserved. We have ...
Category
Mid-20th Century Thai Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood, Lacquer
Antique Anglo Indian Elephant Black Ebonized Wood Hand Carved Sculpture
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique Black Ebonized Wood Hand Carved Anglo Indian Elephant Sculpture.
Precious black ebonized hand carved wood Anglo-Indian elephant sculp...
Category
Early 20th Century Sri Lankan Anglo-Indian Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Pair of Qing Dynasty Architecture Carving Panels
Located in Greenwich, CT
Pair of Qing dynasty architecture carving panels, detail carvings with warriors riding horses.
Category
19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
$3,600 / set
A Chinese carved amethyst incense censor and cover, Qing Dynasty, 19th C
Located in London, GB
A Chinese amethyst carved censor and cover,
Qing Dynasty, 19th century.
the rounded body carved with a pair of dragon mask handles, raised on thr...
Category
19th Century Chinese Antique Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Amethyst
Large Chinese Carved Gilt Wood Story Panel, "Romance of the Three Kingdoms"
Located in Austin, TX
An unusually large vintage Chinese carved and pierced gilt wood story panel, early to mid 20th century, Southern China.
The intricately carved panel depicts images from "The Romance...
Category
Mid-20th Century Chinese Qing Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Metal
Japanese Antique small Stone Buddha/Jizo Bodhisattva/ Edo /1750-1868/ Wabi sabi
Located in Sammu-shi, Chiba
If you want something special, we recommend purchasing items selected by Brood.
We sell carefully selected old Japanese items.
I've seen tens of thousands of items so far.
Based on t...
Category
Late 18th Century Japanese Edo Antique Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Sandstone
Antique Bronze Buddha Head Sculpture with Verdigris on Stand 19th C.
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Antique Southeast Asian cast bronze buddha head sculpture with verdigris patina mounted on a black base wood stand.
Bronze Sukhothai style Buddha bronze head with green patina, from ...
Category
Late 19th Century Thai Tibetan Antique Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Bronze
A Large Chinese Carved Wood Figure of Guanyin, Late Qing Dynasty
Located in ARMADALE, VIC
Description:
A fine depiction of Guanyin, possessing the regal tranquillity that the Chinese Bodhisattva of compassion has come to be visually associated with. Marked by an urna signifying her spiritual enlightenment and crowned with a diadem depicting the Buddha Amitabha, the figure is immediately recognisable as Guanyin. Her androgynous figure is gracefully poised in the Lalit asana or “royal ease”, the pose classical in representations of the deity. The figure is asymmetric, with the weight of her supple form falling upon her left hand placed against the base, her right knee raised and left pendant. Her right hand rests upon her raised knee, delicately pinching at her draped attire. At first unassuming, this gesture may be suggestive of the Apana Mudra, the seal of purification. This Mudra is associated with physical wellbeing, fecundity and the cleansing of the body. Though she is adorned in the princely garb of dhoti, she bears features of idealised feminine beauty as prescribed in Asian art. With plump cheeks and near pouted lips, her full face gazes down upon the viewer with an empathetic and half-lidded gaze, upholding her title as ‘One who hears the cries of the world.’
Notes on the item:
Guanyin is the Chinese interpretation of Avalokiteshvara, the Indian Bodhisattva of compassion. The term “Bodhisattva” is derived from the Sanskrit “Bodhi”, meaning ‘awakening’ or ‘enlightenment’, combined with “Sattva”, meaning ‘spirit’ or ‘being’, referring to one on the path to achieving enlightenment. Bodhisattvas in Mayahana Buddhism are recognised as figures who have effectively achieved enlightenment yet relinquish their accension to nirvana in order to remain amongst mankind in the ultimate act of compassion to aid as spiritual guides. As such, the Bodhisattva inhabit a liminal space between samsara and nirvana; enlightened beings that maintain a relationship with humanity that buddhas cannot, as attaining Buddhahood necessitates the abandonment of all worldly attachments, including mankind. Guanyin’s very name, ‘One who hears the cries of the world’ highlights this role as a compassionate figure who acknowledges the suffering and strife of man. Along with Mahāsthāmaprāpta, a fellow bodhisattva, Guanyin serves as an attendant to Buddha Amitabha, with these three deities recognised as the Three Sages of Western Pure Land Buddhism, a sect of Mayahana Buddhism popular in East Asia.
Avalokiteshvara is commonly posited to have been adopted from Indian Buddhism into China as Guanyin around 200-400 CE, however it was the Tang dynasty (618-907) which saw the popularisation of the deity. By the Ming (1358–1644) and Qing (1644–1911) dynasties, Guanyin held the position as the most popular female deity in China. The unique state of religion in China held no monolithic canon regarding Buddhism and saw the assimilation of several belief systems, primarily Daoism, Buddhism and Confucianism. Consequently, Guanyin became a deity to be revered beyond Buddhism alone, appointed as both an official imperial deity and Daoist deity in the 12th century. Guanyin may also be seen to fulfil the role of idealised femininity as prescribed by Confucianism, with the scarcity of female Chinese deities perhaps accounting for the gradual gender shift Guanyin underwent.
The Indian Avalokiteshvara is unequivocally recognised as male, whilst the supposed gender of Guanyin remains contentious. Although there is a clear shift from the masculine Avalokiteshvara towards a more feminine representation, it is unclear if Guanyin is understood to be entirely feminine, to inhabit qualities of both genders or to be elevated beyond gender entirely, embodying neither. Depictions of Guanyin are highly androgynous, which some believe lends credence towards Guanyin symbolising the unity of dualistic forces as recognised in Daoism, displaying the anthropomorphism of yin and yang.
Comparative Analysis:
Market comparisons of similar Qing Dynasty polychrome figures of Guanyin include lot 767 (no.2) From Christies ‘Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art,’ New York, 25 March 2022, with the price realised USD 52,920 (Estimate USD 20,000 – USD 30,000). Christies also auctioned a comparable polychrome Guanyin...
Category
Late 19th Century Chinese Qing Antique Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Hardwood
Khmer Mukhalinga
Located in Point Richmond, CA
Khmer Ekamukhalinga, a sandstone sculpture of a Linga fronted with a small relief face of Siva. The simple phallic form has a square base (Brahma, the creator), an octagonal mid-sect...
Category
15th Century and Earlier Cambodian Other Antique Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Sandstone
$12,000
Large Domed Chinese Cinnabar Box
Located in Miami, FL
A large vintage Chinese red cinnabar box with deep relief carved lid depicting peonies, trees and a landscape with a palace. The round box has...
Category
1930s Chinese Chinese Export Vintage Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Brass
Japanese Old Memorial Stone Seated Buddha, 18 Inches
Located in South Burlington, VT
Simple Memorial Buddha
A single stone seated Buddha in meditation and who complacently sits with Kanj engraved to each side of this sculpture
Good garden candidate
.In Japan, Kṣi...
Category
Early 20th Century Japanese Taisho Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Stone
JAPAN 1880 Meiji Highly Detailed Walking Cane With Monkeys In a Bamboo Forest
Located in Miami, FL
Waling cane from the Meiji Period (1868-1912).
This is a fabulous antique walking cane created in the imperial Japan during the Meiji period (1868-1912), circa 1880's. The cane was ...
Category
1880s Japanese Meiji Antique Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
$3,880 Sale Price
20% Off
Double-Sided Carved Wooden Blawong Board from Java, circa 1920s-1950s
Located in London, GB
Double-sided carved wooden blawong board from Java, Indonesia (circa 1920s-1950s). Blawong boards were used to hold a pair of Keris daggers. They were fix...
Category
Early 20th Century Indonesian Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
$710 Sale Price
20% Off
Anglo Indian Elephant Ebony Wood Hand Carved Sculpture
Located in North Hollywood, CA
Ebony wood hand carved anglo Indian elephant sculpture.
Gorgeous vintage black hand carved wood ebony Anglo-Indian elephant.
This is a hand ca...
Category
Mid-20th Century Indian Anglo Raj Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Wood
Antique Cherry Amber Resin Confucius Sculpture
Located in Mérida, YU
Vitntage Cherry Amber resin made Sculpture.
Very good condition. Beautiful glowing red color.
Category
1950s Chinese Chinese Export Vintage Carved Sculptures and Carvings
Materials
Resin
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The dealer and curator has spent the past 50 years amassing a collection of exceptional art, furniture and architectural elements that trace the cultural influence of the Spanish empire from Europe to the Americas and beyond.
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