Circa: Early Qing Dynasty, China (1644-1911)
H.12.5 in. (31cm) x W. 5 in. (13cm) x D. 3 in. ( 7.6cm)
Condition: Paint loss, overall very good!
This
rare shrine wood sculpture of the Savior of Hell, Bodhisattva Ti-tsang (Japanese,
Jizo; Sanskrit, Ksitigarbha) is likely an effigy once used in ritual that invokes
the dead. The
gild wood statue of King of the Under-world is well carved, the Ti-tsang image
is strictly in observation with the Chinese Buddhist tradition. This carving depicts
Ti-tsang sits in Dhyana Mudra above the swirling waves, which indicates crossing
of the under-world. The statue appearers that it has been consecrated with a ritual
blessing. There is a certain ritual offering embedded in the hallowed space in
the statue to which a piece of paper is adhered to keep this substance in place.
Though the writing on the paper has since faded, nevertheless, we assume that
it was either the name of the deceased, or a Taoist, Buddhist inscription of prayer.
It
is important to note that in the period preceding this carving, Chinese tradition
preferred burial for their dead, cremation is strictly a practice for Taoist and
Buddhist monks. The carving likely functioned as the guide of the deceased, and
Ti-tsang is responsible for carrying both the body and the soul to the under-world.