~ Voodoo Priestess Estate ~ ©

15.25" Burmese Shan Cast Concrete Buddha Relic

Circa 1956 

A Main Library Find

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Nearly twenty-two years have now passed since we were called to do an estate that had been closed up for seventeen years! 

The Voodoo Estate!

This type of call usually gets us excited as they are a treasure trove.  Located here in Florida, there was no electricity or running water so we rigged our own lighting and in we went.  If you have ever seen the Adams Family you will have some idea as to what we were greeted with!

Then the attorney handling the liquidation gave us some background.  The estate had belonged to an alleged powerful Voodoo Priestess/JooJoo Exorcist, grand daughter of a Marie Laveau, and favored daughter of a Marie Glapion.

This did not have much impact on us other than to cause an uneasy feeling when in the mansion and we declined to spend the night while inventorying, deciding to stay in a hotel to return during daylight to assess the estate.  The rest is history.

 Our research has shown that this woman was what she claimed and was indeed descended from a long line of well known Vodoun family originating in New Orleans in the early 1800's.  We were pretty unnerved by this until we discovered they were also devout Catholics!  Although I have to admit this was unlike any Catholic home we have ever been in and some of the items found inside were a little more than disturbing.

There was no feeling of dread or unwelcome in the mansion, however there was quite a bit of contraband and other items we can or will not sell here.

This is one of a few pieces from this estate we will be posting this week, so check our other listings.

We will, upon the new guardian's request, issue a named Letter of Authenticity with each piece from this estate, complying with the terms set forth to us by the estate's attorney.

Some Back Story

This is one of four near identical museum mount Buddha relic depictions found displayed as pairs on wall tables in the main library of this estate.  They are part of the twenty-six deity figures that were purchased for, and shipped to her from Burma by her associates, the LiDiex in 1956.  This has been corroborated in their journal entries.  They were delivered, and entered into her inventory in March of 1956.  It is our opinion that they were bought new from the makers at that time.  They are some of the very few Buddha images that do not depict a regional event in the life of the Buddha that were most likely made for the tourist trade.

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Shan Gray Cast Concrete

This depiction is done in cast Shan Gray Concrete Slip.  Our own research has shown there is very little published concerning the casting, paddle and anvil slip techniques of Burma.  It is however, a model for modern cottage industry producing a type of folk art.  Reliance on types of pottery and concrete casting to be used in daily life is paramount as substitute materials, such as plastic and aluminum, are not readily available.  At Sagaing, south of Mandalay, most of the female population of the village is involved in the production for local use.  Many of the artists are elderly women who are not strong enough to work in the fields, and the younger generations do not seem to be interested in learning the craft.  Their output is extensive and the makers are traditional as well as innovative.

Shapes included ancient styles resulting from experimentation with clays and glazes.  The clays are indigenous but the glaze materials are imported from the Shan state.  Two other pottery centers, Keng Tuung and Mong Tung, are also located in the Shan state.  Southern Burma abounds with pottery centers, due to the availability of raw materials.  Despite this, export of pottery is banned as the customs inspectors can not tell the difference between newly made and antique pieces.  The pieces that are found in this country are usually found in museums and private collections and rarely seen on the commercial market.  As most of the pottery produced in the Shan provinces is utilitarian, ie; bowls, containers, vessels, etc. these Buddha depictions are extremely rare.

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This Buddha

It is a cast concrete Buddha relic in ornate robes with a flame finial. on a museum mount.  This image reflects the Indian and Sukhothai influence of executed design.  These Buddha images typically feature the flame shaped head finial and hair curls displayed here.  The torso is also thinner, and the oval face is serene.  No one really know what the historical Buddha looked like.  The first Buddha statues were created approximately 200 years after his Mahaparinirvana.

It is certainly an unusual vintage Buddhist artifact with an extraordinary provenance that is much nicer than the photographs are able to depict.

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We have been contacted and visited by a number of people who were interested in the items from this estate since our first batch was listed. Among the buyers have been known psychics and practitioners. More than one, after adorning themselves or handling their purchase, stated "this is a woman of power!" Many of our customers, after receiving items from this estate have reported dream contacts and other unexplained phenomenon.

Unusual, authentic Voodoo Priestess Estate piece and at a bargain price!