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Vintage resin Chinese dieties Feng Shui longevity, fortune, happiness, medicine
$ 10.56
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Description
4 Vintage white resin Chinese dieties with great detail and mythological significance, often used in Feng Shui. Each is 3" tall (4.25" with wooden stand) x 2" diameter (with stand). Very good condition except for small chips on the Buddha figure's fan,one stand is detached, and
missing one wooden stand. Boy, did I enjoy researching these! Three of the figures appear to go together and are representations of the Sanxing (3 Stars), which are gods/constellations central to Chinese astrology/mythology. These figures are traditionally displayed, left to right, Shouxing (Shou-star), Luxing (Lu-star), Fuxing (Fu-star). Each star represents a quality: Shou = Longevity; Lu = Prosperity/Wealth; and Fu = Happiness. Here's where it got tricky. The Shouxing figure here is the one with the deer, staff, and is holding a peach or gourd with the elixir of life. Yes, that threw me off too, because the peach is pear-shaped so maybe it's a gourd. It appears the artist conflated this figure with another diety called Li Tie Guai (one of the 8 Immortals), associated with medicine, deer, and an iron staff.
Also, the Luxing figure apparently has been combined with another Chinese god, Caishen, the god of Wealth. Thus, the symbols for Luxing (scroll, winged hat) are combined with the symbols of Caishen (ingots, an ax to turn stone to gold, and fruits.) Instead of the traditional depiction of Fuxing, dressed in mandarin costume and holding a child, the artist has elected to use a Laughing Buddha figure with a fan, which also represents "Happiness", when the Buddha waves his fan to dispel troubles. This leaves the fourth figure, which I have determined to be one of the 8 Immortals, Zhongli Quan. This diety was a master of spells and immortality, and legend holds that he was carried off by a celestial crane to the land of the gods. He holds a magical fan that he can use to bring the dead back to life. It seems that the artist references Shou again by having him depicted with a gourd and staff as well. Did I get it right? Let me know! I'm now on the hunt for more Chinese dieties ... this was FUN!