Antique Guanyin on a Mythical Hǒu, China (16370BCK) $875

Description

The Hou (Hǒu) is the most powerful of the mythical animals in Chinese beliefs, a composite of 10 animals and revered for its ability to gather and guard money for its master, defend him from evil, and protect against bad fortune. As the mount of Guanyin, it sometimes resembles, as here, a Buddhist lion or fu-lion with its mouth open in a roar revealing its fangs which represents Guanyin’s power over the forces of nature. Although the Hǒu is often a compilation of 10 animals, here it resembles a Buddhist lion with its open roaring mouth with fangs, beard, bushy tail, deer horns and fish scales covering its body. The orb, or pearl in its mouth is considered lucky, as rubbing it will bring good fortune. She is portrayed in red, symbolizing fu, and carries a ruyi a wish-granting wand which here combines its two traditional meanings. In Mahayana Buddhism, it is  a ceremonial scepter, but in Chinese Popular Religion it encompasses all other wishes including blessings, wealth, rank, good fortune, and longevity. As most ruyis, the top section resembles a sacred fungus (lingzhi) of immortality as a wish for long life and here is centered with a lotus. This carving displays remarkable attention to details including the scales on the hou’s body, the beast’s powerful head, the saddle and details on the ruyi scepter.  Guanyin, one of the Great Chinese Goddesses, is a syncretic deity followed by Buddhist, Taoist and Popular Religion devotees. Made for a home altar it is carved in folk-art tradition with unique iconography and an obsession with details.  In excellent condition mounted on a modern hand finished frosted Acrylic base.