Elaborate Antique Carved Wood Stand for Three Statues

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Three, or trio , is a venerable number in Chinese Culture. In popular culture, there are the Three Star God … Read more Three, or trio , is a venerable number in Chinese Culture. In popular culture, there are the Three Star God of Fortune , God of Longevity, God of Fortune, God of Rank.* Followers of the Pure Land Buddhism worship Buddha and his two companions, one of them is the popular Bodhisattva Guanyin. There are also three figures in Historical Buddhism - Sakyamuni, Buddha of the Present, and Buddhas of the Past and Future.

This beautifully carved wood pedestal or stand presented here is a stage for either set of deities above. The pedestal enhances the importance of the trio of figures and adds drama. Each cartouche on the base, represents a symbol, such as the deer for longevity. Each corner has the face of the Foo Dog, Buddha's guardian. Above the platform are three round circles that are called lotus stands, that is the supports for Buddhist statues. The lotus represents purity. Therefore it was most likely to be a altar for a Buddhist shrine at home.

Based on the quality of carving and the type of wood, the pedestal was probably made by wood craftsmen of Southeast China, and the age to be 19th century.

*In this country where every one is created equal, rank in society means more like who is the one who lives in the Penthouse or who lives in Public Housing. But in Dynastic China, rank is something any one can achieve by studying hard and doing well in the Civil Exams. Coming in first may mean a position as prime minister, governor, magistrate and so on. See less