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Subject:Chinese Lokapala
Posted By: Mike Sat, May 16, 2015 IP: 173.81.45.223 Hello! Wondering if anyone can tell me what I have here? I bought it from a reputable dealer who labeled it as a "Genuine Chinese Household Protector". I did a little research on the internet, and I believe it is a Buddhist statue called a Lokapala. It seems much more crude than similar pieces I found on the internet. The guardian has his foot on a tailed animal which resembles a cat. It is carved of wood. It stands about 9.5 inches tall. It has several layers of paint which can be seen at the base of the robe. There are some missing layers of paint, and I can see green, red, and white paint exposed. The piece looks as if it has been varnished, and the varnish has the "alligator" look on the back and sides. The back has two compartments cut out. I'm not sure if anything was put it the square cut-out at the bottom, but the rectangular cut-out on the guardian's back looks like it would have had a cover. The exposed wood in the bottom cut-out is much darker than the one in the back, so I'm assuming it has been exposed much longer. I have a few questions...1)Is it authentic? 2)Age? 3)Place of origin? 4)What was the purpose of the cut-outs on the back? 5)Is the piece a form of Chinese Folk Art? Any help would be greatly appreciated. I've added several photos below. Thanks to all! Mike |
Subject:Re: Chinese Lokapala
Posted By: pierrevdw Mon, May 18, 2015 Hello, |
Subject:Re: Chinese Lokapala
Posted By: Mike Mon, May 18, 2015 Thank you so much for your detailed explanation--very helpful! |
Subject:Re: Chinese Lokapala
Posted By: Mike Thu, May 21, 2015 Nicolas, Thanks for your post! I've been doing some more research online, and I think I've identified the deity. I believe it is the Chinese God of Wealth, Tsai Shen Yeh (or just Tsai Shen). He is often depicted wearing a black beard, riding or standing on a tiger, holding a whip or sword in one hand, and holding a gold ingot in the other. Looking more closely at my statue, it does appear the raised hand once held something. I can clearly see a hole on the inside of his hand, and there is a remnant of a handle of some sort which can be seen on the outside of the hand. |
Subject:Re: Chinese Lokapala
Posted By: pierrevdw Sat, May 23, 2015 Good work Mike and Nicolas, |
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