W40xD60xH60mm, China
How can we have a bird feeder without a bird? This is a pottery bird whistle toy with a beautiful green glaze.
Archives for posts with tag: figurine
W100xD100xH200mm, China
Today, the 8th day of lunar April, is the birthday of the Buddha (Siddhartha Gautama). According to the legend, on the night when Siddhartha was conceive, his mother Queen Maya has a dream. In her dream there was a white elephant with 6 tusks holding a lotus flower went circling around her 3 times and then entered her right side. The next morning Queen Maya told King Suddhodana the story and the King summoned the wise men to decipher the dream. It was predicted that the child would become a great king or a Buddha (the enlighten one).
This is a wooden figurine of the Buddha, the third eye (spiritual awakening) of the Buddha is represented by the inlay of a tiny pearl.
If you happens to be in Hong Kong click here and join in the celebration.
W80xH180mm, Sumatra, Indonesia
Apology for yesterday’s misinformation, this is actually the stopper of the guri guri potion container, a container of magic for the Batak tribe.
The magical potion is known as guri guri, used by the datu to perform good as well as magic with evil intention. The guri guri is one of the most sacred object of the datu. The figurine is a human riding on singa. Singa is a mythological creature that is benevolent and powerful, it is described to be part human, part buffalo, part crocodile.
W100xH240mm, The Philippines
The holy week (Mahál na Araw) is an important religious festival in the Philippines. The week starts from Palm Sunday (Linggo ng Palaspás), commemorating Jesus arriving Jerusalem where he begin his journey to the cross. On Maundy Thursday (Huwebes Santo), the start of the Triduum, shops and business will be closed until Black Saturday, local radio and tv station will either be off air out of respect or broadcast only religious programs. On Maundy Thursday the Mass of the Lord’s Supper will be attended; however for the faithfuls who observed the Visita Iglesia, beginning in the morning 7 churches will be visited. On Good Friday (Biyernes Santo) there will be street processions; the Way of the Cross commemorating Jesus’ last words and the passion play Senákulo, where the faithful men will portray the passion of Jesus Christ, his trial, suffering and his death. As an expression of penance some devotees will self flagellate and some will even be nailed to the cross. This is followed by chantings of pabasa (the life, passion, death and resurrection of Christ). Near the evening dead images of Jesus will be parade in the funeral procession (Prusisyon ng Sto. Entierro). On Holy Saturday (Sabado de Gloria), a day of silence and solem, at the end of the day the mass of Easter Vigil will make the first celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus. Easter Sunday(Linggo ng Pagkabuhay) is a joyful day of celebrations, life size status of the resurrected Christ and Virgin Mary will be paraded and brought to the first of the churches, it is followed by the Easter Mass.
W20xH120mm, China
Guan Shi Yin (Avalokiteśvara) is a bohisattva who embodies the compassion of all buddhas, the Chinese name also suggests the observation of the mankind. In the Tong dynasty, the proud emperor Li Shi Min forbidden the use words “Shi” and “Man” in all text and that unfortunately included religion as well. The name was shortened to now more common shorten version Guan Yin. The dates for Guan Yin festivals are lunar 19th Feburary (birthday), lunar 19th June (enlightened), lunar 19th September (Bodhisattvahood).
W150xD100xH300mm, China
There are numerous gods of wealth in China, mainly there are 3 more popular ones, the Main God of Wealth (Zhao Gong Ming, also known as the Moon God of Wealth), the Intellectual God of Wealth (Fan Li) and the Martial God of Wealth (Guan Yu). This is a figurine of the Main God of Wealth.
And you might ask why is he has a pet tiger, well actually that is his transportation which he picked up on the way to the war of Emporer Shang Zhou Wang.
(see the same figure in wood for his legend: God of Wealth)
H170xW50xD70mm, Macau
I have been pondering about this figurine for a long time. It is a Tanka god which would have been worshiped on the junk boat, keeping them safe on their fishing voyage. But what kind of god would it be to be on a bicycle?!! All my research led to dead ends.
A couple of days ago, I was in Tai O, an old fishing village in the remote part of Hong Kong. I was attracted by the artworks surrounded a small convenience store, to my surprise they were created by the 84 years old owner, Mr. Lu, who was borned in Tai O of the Tanka clan. He is like a walking history book and I took the opportunity to find out from him the nature of this figurine. The figurine was indeed for worshiping, however it is not a proper god as such but someone in general who might harm you (giving you trouble, tummy ach, etc.) So these people are made into figurines and offerings are made to them as if they are some kind of gods. From the costume of the figurine, he is likely to be an official similar to today’s policeman.
Decoration outside Tokyo Store, Tai O.
They were created each year for the Chinese New Year with the corresponding animals from the zodiac signs, this was for the year of the rabbit.
If you are visiting Hong Kong, Tai O is a great place to go if the city and the malls becomes too overwhelming.
L400xW250xH250mm, Hong Kong (NOT FOR SALE)
For our dog Spike’s birthday we have on the blog a pottery I made (hand built + hollow out). Some of you might have seen the little fellow in the shop running about. For those who are spike or sealyham terrier fans, here is his blog:
http://spiketang.wordpress.com/
W100xD80xH200mm, China
This is a gold plated figure of the God of Wealth General Zhao Gong Ming worshiped by the Taoist. The figure is well known to be in armour, one hand holding a piece of gold, the other a silver whip and riding on a black tiger. Legend had it that originally there were 1o suns, they blasted the earth, Hou Yi was asked to shoot down all of them but one. The 9 suns became demons, 8 of them revenged and brought about sickness but one of them Zhao became human. He was trained and attained the power to fight plague, as a reward for his hard work he was made god and in charge of the wealth of the world. You might also known him as one of the door god icon.
H150xL150xW50mm, China
Cloth toys are popular items made by mothers for their children in rural China. They are made of everyday object; leftover cloth, cardboard, decorated with bold embroidery giving an animated life to the toy. The cloth toy in this part of Shaan Xi area is noted for the head being flat and changing to a 3 dimensional body.
Mountain Folkcraft 