EUR
CAD
AUD
GBP
MXN
HKD
CNY
MYR
SEK
SGD
CHF
THBRare Ming Dynasty Queen Mother of West Inscribed 1560!
About Seller
686 S Taylor Ave, Ste 106
Louisville, CO 80027
United States
Selling antiquities, ancient and ethnographic art online since 1993, Artemis Gallery specializes in Classical Antiquities (Egyptian, Greek, Roman, Near Eastern), Asian, Pre-Columbian, African / Tribal / Oceanographic art. Our extensive inventory includes pottery, stone, metal, wood, glass and textil...Read more
Live Auction in Progress ... Currently on Lot Two ways to bid:
- Leave a max absentee bid and the platform will bid on your behalf up to your maximum bid during the live auction.
- Bid live during the auction and your bids will be submitted real-time to the auctioneer.
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $25 |
| $300 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $2,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $20,000 |
About Auction
LiveMar 20, 2025
Explore a world of classical antiquities and ethnographic masterpieces, with treasures from every corner of the globe. Discover Egyptian relics, Greek and Roman artifacts, Etruscan elegance, Near Eastern wonders, and Asian heritage. Marvel at Pre-Columbian marvels, Native American artistry, African tribal expressions, and Oceanic cultural gems. Spanish Colonial legacies, Russian craftsmanship, and a spectrum of fine and visual arts await, offering a captivating journey through history and artistry, connecting cultures across time. Artemis Fine Arts info@artemisgallery.com
View Full Catalog (267)
- Lot Description
East Asia, China, Ming Dynasty, ca. 16th century CE. A rare and important wooden sculpture of immense scale depicting the Daoist immortal and mother goddess Xiwangmu, Queen Mother of the West, adorned with liberal remains of pigments and gilding. Draped in long, flowing robes and a cascading central belt, she holds her hands together at her chest, a perforation at the top of them indicates she may have once held an object, perhaps a Peach of Immortality or incense. A hollow cavity in the verso would have allowed worshippers to place offerings and inscribed prayers, while Chinese inscriptions on each side of her throne dates her to the 16th century. A superb and sizable example from the Ming Dynasty! Size: 14.3" L x 22" W x 48.5" H (36.3 cm x 55.9 cm x 123.2 cm)<BR><BR><i>The Queen Mother of the West (Xiwangmu) is the most ancient and revered female deity in Daoism, holding a position of supreme authority over all female deities. As one of the Great Chinese Goddesses, she was the first deity to be depicted in Chinese art and remains a powerful figure of immortality, wisdom, and divine virtue.<br><br> Residing in the Western Paradise, she dwells alongside her husband, the Jade Emperor, in a grand palace surrounded by lush gardens, sparkling brooks, cranes, and red phoenixes. Within this celestial realm stands her legendary Peach Tree of Immortality, which bears fruit once every 3,000 years. When the tree blooms, she hosts magnificent feasts for gods and immortals, with the peaches as the ultimate divine offering. <br><br>Mortals, especially emperors and Daoist masters, seek her guidance, learning her esoteric doctrines to attain immortality. As a divine teacher, she governs the length of human lives and embodies virtue and wisdom. Her iconography features an elaborate phoenix headdress, symbolizing beauty and the sun, while her flowing robes and elevated pedestal emphasize her high status. <br><br>Still honored today as a patron deity of women, she is venerated in temples where devotees celebrate her birthday in grand ceremonies. This striking, rare triangular sculpture, crowned by a majestic phoenix, accentuates her power, stability, and celestial stature.</i><BR><BR> Provenance: private Los Angeles, California, USA collection, acquired from 1990 to 2005<BR><BR> All items legal to buy/sell under U.S. Statute covering cultural patrimony Code 2600, CHAPTER 14, and are guaranteed to be as described or your money back. <BR><BR>A Certificate of Authenticity will accompany all winning bids.<BR><BR> We ship worldwide to most countries and handle all shipping in-house for your convenience.<br><br><b>SHIPPING EXCEPTIONS: </b>Due to customs clearance issues, we are unable to ship to Germany, Switzerland and Australia. If you live in Germany, Switzerland or Australia, you will need to provide an alternate shipping destination, or we will not be able to complete your purchase. In addition, please note that we are unable to ship ancient items back to the original country of origin (Egyptian to Egypt, Greek to Greece, etc.)<br><br><b>PAYMENT EXCEPTION: </b> Unless a known customer of Artemis, payment for all gold / precious metal / gem lots must be made via Bank Wire Transfer or Certified Bank Check/Money Order, no exceptions.<BR><BR> #192622
Condition
Missing covering for back cavity. Some small losses to feet and base, as well as chipping, nicks, and abrasions to surface as shown. Some areas of old, inactive insect damage. Otherwise, nice presentation with liberal remaining pigments and gilding.
- Shipping Info
-
All shipping is handled in-house for your convenience. Your invoice from Artemis Gallery will include shipping calculation instructions. If in doubt, please inquire BEFORE bidding for estimated shipping costs for individual items.
-
- Buyer's Premium
