Identify little guys?

[opr1945]

After reading about Fudo Myo-o in another thread I have been looking for a small statue of him. I Bid on several on ebay, unsuccessfully. I finally won an auction. Obviously it is the blue (described as Turquoise?) one in the picture. The taller stature I purchased at a flea market in Tupelo, Mississippi, USA in 1970. It is quite light in weight and I believe wood.

While bidding for the statue of Fudo Myo-o I came across these other guys. They were described as wise men and carved out of wood. However, they are quite heavy for their size. Each little guy weighs more than the taller guy in the other picture. If wood it is denser the the other one.

Are they just some random person or perhaps a representation of someone famous? The guy sitting down was described as sitting on a leaf. Bodhidharma maybe?

Anyone recognized any of these guys?

Thanks

 

[BrendanF]

Sanxing (deities) - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[BrendanF]

Jiang Ziya - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

Far left

 

[opr1945]

Thank you very much. I am just amazed at the information that is available throught the internet. Thanks again.

 

[Prince_Alarming]

They're really cool! This sort of thing is why I did a degree in sculpture, I wanted to make cool little things like this

 

[opr1945]

I googled "3 Chinese gods statues" and they are all over the place. from cheap to expensive. Amazing.

Chinese Fu Lu Shou Statues (Set of 3) - The Magick Cauldron

Chinese Fu Lu Shou figures set of the Sanxing or Three Star Gods. They represent fortune, prosperity, and longevity. Fu Xing is the star god symbolizing good fortune and happiness. Lu Xing is the god of prosperity, and symbolizes career success. Shou Xing is the star god of longevity, and…

www.magickcauldron.com

Thanks again.

 

[Sammy Naur]

I googled "3 Chinese gods statues" and they are all over the place. from cheap to expensive. Amazing.

Chinese Fu Lu Shou Statues (Set of 3) - The Magick Cauldron

Chinese Fu Lu Shou figures set of the Sanxing or Three Star Gods. They represent fortune, prosperity, and longevity. Fu Xing is the star god symbolizing good fortune and happiness. Lu Xing is the god of prosperity, and symbolizes career success. Shou Xing is the star god of longevity, and…

www.magickcauldron.com

Thanks again.

I know a thing or two about antiques, like I said about Acala statuettes, these are things sold for a century in the Western world, often with questionable provenance.

I'd recommend never paying a lot any of them that aren't certified by a reputable auction house, and also pick up some lead swabs to make sure your figurine isn't shedding lead dust (which is an unfortunate fact of life with baubles from the eastern hemisphere)

 

[opr1945]

I never thought of them as antique or having historic value. I just thought they were neat (I'm old). They just sit on a shelf. I am not handling them regularly.

The description described them as "3 Vintage Hand Carved Chinese red Wooden Figurines Wise Men". although the don't appear either vintage or wooden to me.

Non the less I paid $25 for the three of them.


On the other hand there is this set reduced to $1,100.00

Set Of Three Finely Carved Wood Chinese Star Gods For Sale on Ruby Lane

For Sale - Vintage Asian Art Carved Wood from Barkus Farm Antiques and Fine Art - This finely carved wood set of the three Chinese Star Gods is simply wonderful. Each of the Gods are standing with jovial expressions and holding his attribute: Fu (fortune) holding a scroll; Lu (prosperity)...

www.rubylane.com