Browse Items (178 total)

A brass statue of a crane perched on top of a tortoise. Both of these animals represent longevity in Chinese and Japanese culture. On the right hand side of the crane, there is damage indicating that this piece was previously attached to something…

A rider sits astride a qilin, a mythical beast that is part dragon, part deer. The beast's mane is curled in waves; it lifts its muzzle towards the rider. The rider is holding an object in one hand -- perhaps a peach or a jewel. Flames and spotted…

Lobster with a dragon wrapped around its antenna

A matching pair of brass incense burners decorated with mythological creatures. They stand on four tall legs, and each are capped by a beast, probably a qilin (chimera).

Basket, Buddhist rosary of brown wood and white and blue beads, and a pouch made of red silk with an elaborate embroidered pattern. The embroidery is typical of China.

Wooden Altar Box is in the shape of closet with two hinged doors. The character 金 appears in circular gold medallions on both sides of the main image. Decorative pieces of cloth are attached both to the side doors and the center. The main image is in…

Small basked with a square lid, a handle, curved sides, and four feet.

Wooden image of Daikokuten inside a small portable shrine. The exterior is painted red; the interior is painted gold. Drapery almost covers the image of the deity.

A small statue of the male deity Daikokuten (Sanskrit: Mahakala) standing on a pair of rice sacks. His skin is black; he wears a mustache. In his left hand he holds a bag; his right hand is empty (he is normally depicted holding a mallet--this may be…

A red-painted plaque inscribed in gold with the characters 天官賜福 (tianguan cifu: The Heavenly Official Bestows Happiness). A charm used for good luck in China.