Antique Rare Taoist Drunken Monk Ji Gong Hand Carved Solid Wood Statue 1920

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Seller: toronita1 ✉️ (2,427) 95%, Location: Port Orange, Florida, US, Ships to: US, Item: 201149346792 Antique Rare Taoist Drunken Monk Ji Gong Hand Carved Solid Wood Statue 1920.

Antique Rare Taoist Drunken Monk Ji Gong

Hand Carved Solid Wood Gold Gilt 

Early 20th Century

            Statue’s Measurement:

              Height                                               11 inches (27.9 cm)

              Base Width                                       4 ¼ inches (10.8 cm)

              Base Depth                                       3 ¾ inches (9.5 cm)

This is a excellent rendition of the Taoist deity Ji Gong, a monk known for his compassion for the common man. 

Although he was a monk it was said he came from a wealthy family and he continued to drink and eat meat which was considered bad form and was asked to leave the monastery. After being expelled from his monastic life, Dao Ji or Ji Kong never really bothered to search for another monastery to belong to. He just walked the streets and is often thought of as beggar monk, because he still wore his grey Buddhist robes. His eccentricity continued to manifest on the streets, but so also his kindness and compassionate heart. It is said, even though he looks poor he never really begged for money, and it is often a wonder as to where he gets money for food. Some say that it could be part of his inheritance, but if it were from his inheritance, it’s a mystery were he kept his wealth. 

However, after a while, Dao Ji or Ji Kong started to manifest another eccentricity. Since he has a compassionate heart, he would often approach beggars on the streets and other poor families. He would listen to them, crack a joke, then murmur a prayer, after which he’ll use his fan to fan them a little. Soon after these incidents the recipient of his kindness and weird ritual would come to a good fortune. He thus earned a reputation for being a Buddhist magician, which, in turn earned him the title Ji Gong Huoto, which means the Living Buddha Ji Gong.  Ji is derived from his Buddhist name Dao Ji, Gong, is a name of respect for a powerful elder and Huoto literally means living Buddha. 

His image is usually pictured as a monk in torn and patched clothing, holding a bottle of wine and a ‘magical’ fan. He is always shown with a smiling face, because he has a very happy nature. Although, he is usually pictured wearing a hat with the word Fo, which means ‘Buddha’, Buddhist never really considered him as Buddha or a Bodhisattva. However, seeing how much he is revered in Taoism, Buddhists did include him in their Koans, some sub-sects even considers him as an Arhat. He is considered a God of Wealth in Taoism because of the good fortune bestowed by his magical fan. However not just worldly wealth but in wealth of spirit and soul, the wealth in life’s humanity that transcends the material. 

 This is a classic rendition of Ji Gong, he is wearing simple robes; they are gold but have little decoration and have two noticeable “patches” to help identify his persona. He is carrying his magical fan that looks like it has received some opium offerings, and his bottle of wine. He is in great condition with one little nick at the back of the base, otherwise all excellent. 

He is a nice size, standing 11” tall and about 4 ¼” wide by 3 ¾” inches deep. 

Purchased from a private collection in Singapore quite a number of years ago. The veneration it has received dates it probably earlier than mid century. 

This Taoist statue is part of our large collection amassed over a lifetime of collecting The iconography is superb the execution traditional and the skill at the highest level. This wood carving is not a mass produced metal casting, each one has to be created and executed by skilled wood carvers and craftsmen.  

Please see the photos for the composition and condition of this rare statue. Message with any questions.

Buyer info:

  • Packaging and shipping is done with care. If you have a special request we will do our best to accommodate.

  • It is my intention to be as clear and accurate as possible. In the event I make an error, I will always do my best to remedy the situation.

  • Please feel free to contact me with any questions. Please read the item description and submit any questions you might have for clarification of the item for sale prior to bidding. 

  • Payment must be received within 3 days of auction ending.

  • I have been collecting artifacts for over 40 years and I have been a member of the eBay community since 1998.  Please Bid with confidence.

Origin:

The spelling of different deities can vary in the English language because the translation is phonetic and the pronunciation and subsequent spelling varies.

  • Primary Material: Wood
  • Original/Reproduction: Original
  • Region of Origin: China
  • Age: 1900-1940

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