Featured Carved wood figure w heads

I believe they are meant to be boys. Found these using that as a search term.

 

Sure looks similar. Thanks!

 

Hey I wonder if @Kaiserpoo could offer a basic quick translation of the script I pulled out of this carving.

I'm confident it's a devotional piece, but I'm curious.

Thanks for considering.

 

I am not sure. I think it’s a praying paper, can’t make it out the details.


dated according to the paper. 1592–1643
Qing Tiancong era







made for this guy, or written by

 

Tiānmǔ (天母 "Mother of Heaven

The mother of the Jiuhuangshen is Dǒumǔ (斗母 "Mother of the Chariot"), the female aspect of the supreme
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doumu

 

now that would be something....

 

This is https://wuu.wikipedia.org/wiki/道教. Stuff

 

https://www.schneiblefinearts.com/s...4-wide-early-qing-dynasgty-17th-18th-century/



Looks like you have a genuine one. Do not damage that paper, find a professional asap. I think it’s even more rare you have the paper intact

 

https://www.tjitra.nl/chinese-temple-buddha-statue-of-wood-from-the-qing-dynasty-qp-470/view

• At the back there is an open hole which contained mostly the following:
  • a piece of paper with a message, prayer, request.
  • some rice for food.
  • some herbs for good health.
  • some cotton for clothing.
• These statues were offered or placed at the Tao temple of the giver and writer of the message.

 

anythings possible........but ya...maybe a specialist is in order !!!

 

That nine babies are the nine heaven kings I think


https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Jiuhuangdadi_九皇大帝.svg

 

Wonderful.

And that is another reason why I don't mess with papers etc inside statues.

I certainly think she has considerable age.

 

There are various statues with children, not all are the same or have the same meaning, and not all have boys only. Pottery's carving is fully clothed and is wearing a crown or headdress, so she is not a Budai figure.

Child-like attendants can also stand for disciples, and a group of children can symbolize humankind in general.

 

Mother of Heaven Is the birth mother of the nine heaven kings. 9 aspects of the same god king.

 

@Kaiserpoo -- thank you so much for your help! It's wonderful! I'm excited to think that it may be that old, and have significance.

What are people's recommendations re: finding an expert or specialist?

 

Is there a museum near you that has a Chinese religious collection?

 

Yeah-- the art museum here has a decent-sized Asian art department. I'll find an email and reach out.

Thanks for all the help!

And of course I'll be sure to share whatever I learn.

 

you better !!!!

just so we're sure there's no curse involved !!.............

 

Wow,looks ancient and like something that needs to be handled with lots of respect. What an interesting object! Where did you find it?

 

I found it at an estate sale, one that was filled with interesting objects from around the world. This one got passed up by 1-2 other people, perhaps because it's not exactly flashy or colorful, but it looked way old to me so I grabbed it.

It wasn't until later that I really had a close look. And now it seems to be kinda revealing itself in this thread. I love when that happens!