Late 19th Century Small Bronze Vishnu Statue

A wonderful, gem of a piece. The piece has a beautiful feel and heft to it. The laughing or jolly Buddha is known in China as Budai or Putai, Bodai in Vie...

A monumental Hindu Nandi temple gate-guardian architectural ornament, born in India, dating to the 19th century, hand carved and painted, richly detailed, polychrome decorated, the wooden sculpture depicting Nandi, a sacred bull, gatekeeper, and vahana religious deity figure. Provenance: Acquired from The Neiman Marcus Corporate Art Collection. Details below. Dimensions: (approx) 49.5" x 43" x 12" An important religious folk art work, the Nandi is of carved wood and gessoed cloth, then hand-painted. In Hindu religion, Nandi is the mythical mount of Shiva. The four legs represent truth, righteousness, peace and love. More than a means of conveyance, Nandi is considered Shiva's constant companion on all his travels, so much so that in any temple dedicated to Shiva, there is a sculpture of Nandi. This symbol is a deity in its own right, and in India there are temples dedicated exclusively to Nandi. In Hindu symbolism, the bull represents both strength and ignorance. The white or light color of the bull symbolizes purity and justice. Symbolically, the seated Nandi towards sanctum in Shiva temples, represents an individual jiva (soul) and the message that the jiva should always be focused on the Parameshwara. From the yogic perspective, Nandi is the mind dedicated to Shiva, the absolute. In other words, to understand and absorb light, the experience, and the wisdom is Nandi, which is the guru within. The fact that Shiva uses it as a mount symbolizes how this divine figure removes ignorance while instilling strength and wisdom. A superb example, the life size work is in great overall shape, and presents wonderfully, having beautifully aged patina over the whole, highly desirable original, worn, rustic, naturally distressed, chippy paint, craquelure finish, that's delicate, and enhances the artistic antique character and rich historic depth. Detailed Condition Report: Fragile / delicate by design. Loss to one ear, age related checking and separation to carvings, fabric to hind quarters is released and tattered with minor loss, rubbing to paint throughout with wear indicative of age and use; later grey painted mounting blocks are attached to back and hooves. White glove in-home shipping/delivery available. Pickup available near Dallas, Texas Additional Provenance: Property from the Neiman Marcus Collection. Acquired from Heritage Auction, Design District Gallery, Dallas, Texas. From The Dallas Morning Newspaper; April 12th, 2021 Neiman Marcus is selling some of its history and valuables that have been displayed and stored for decades as part of the luxury retailer’s corporate art collection. The Neiman Marcus corporate art collection dates back to 1951, when Stanley Marcus (1905-2002), a life long avid art collector, purchased Mariposa, a large mobile by Alexander Calder and started a long tradition of buying original artwork for new stores as they opened. The Mariposa sold at a Sotheby’s auction last month fetching $18.2 million. The items are being offered through Sotheby's auction house, NYC, New York and Heritage Auction, Dallas, Texas. Many of the pieces were personally collected by Stanley Marcus from the 1960s through the 1980s. Some of the pieces are from corporate spaces, stores and the company’s archives, among the items are important antique textiles, tribal robes...

These statues are adorned wood-carved Burmese Mandalay 'Nat' Spirits from the early 20th century. Nats were worshipped by the Burmese people, depicted as supernatural guardians they ...

Rare and highly unusual antique Japanese statue of the esoteric deity 'Dakini Ten,' a Buddhist goddess who was associated with the agricultural...

A small primitive mortar in hardstone. Probably Asian, 19h century.

Rare Japanese antique statue of a Chinese child performing Tai chi capturing the pose in motion. Middle Edo period, circa 1750. Made from polychrome on carved ...

This is an old Japanese "Kobo Daishi" wooden figure. "Kobo Daishi" means "Kukai". "Kukai" was a monk from the early Heian period. His posthumous name was "Kobo Daishi". He is the fou...

Weight: 8 kg The Snaked Altar, situated atop a marble column at the entrance square of the Ancient City of Asclepion, holds the distinction of being recognized as the earliest symbol of medicine and pharmacy. The altar's prominent position within the Asclepion complex highlights its importance in the context of ancient medical practices. It served as a visual representation of the profound connection between spirituality and healing, as Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine, was often depicted alongside snakes, which were regarded as symbols of rebirth and rejuvenation. Today, the original Snaked Altar finds its rightful place of honor in the prestigious Bergama Museum. Visitors to the museum can marvel at its intricate details and appreciate the craftsmanship of the ancient artisans who sculpted it. The altar's preservation allows us to delve into the depths of history and gain insights into the ancient world's understanding and reverence for medicine. *Crafted from compressed marble powder. *Manufactured using molds...

Weight: 8 kg The Snaked Altar, situated atop a marble column at the entrance square of the Ancient City of Asclepion, holds the distinction of being recognized as the earliest symbol of medicine and pharmacy. The altar's prominent position within the Asclepion complex highlights its importance in the context of ancient medical practices. It served as a visual representation of the profound connection between spirituality and healing, as Asclepius, the Greek god of medicine, was often depicted alongside snakes, which were regarded as symbols of rebirth and rejuvenation. Today, the original Snaked Altar finds its rightful place of honor in the prestigious Bergama Museum. Visitors to the museum can marvel at its intricate details and appreciate the craftsmanship of the ancient artisans who sculpted it. The altar's preservation allows us to delve into the depths of history and gain insights into the ancient world's understanding and reverence for medicine. *Crafted from compressed marble powder. *Manufactured using molds...

This is a great piece of carved folk art. Lots of character.