Sterling Silver, Monk's White Jade & Bokor's and 50 similar items

~ Voodoo Priestess Estate ~ Sterling Silver, GiJong Monk's White Jade and Bokor's Pyrite - Lunar Goddess Ritual Ring A Femini Altar Find ~!~ This is another of our very long listings with an abundant text and 10 photographs, so please be patient and read the listing through. If you have come this far, we feel you will find it was worth the wait. Twenty-four and a half years have now passed since we were called to do the 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. These names meant nothing to us, but the late night talk of Voodoo and exorcism in the old mansion was enough for us to spend the night in a hotel and return in the morning 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 listing 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 Found in what she had named, "The Minor Femini Altar." This was a small single altar room, "dedicated to the sacred Femini in homage and reverence to the Lunar Goddess of Lore," according to one of her journal entries. Dedicated in 1911, it was used by all of her female associates and staff. A large granite depiction of Guanyin was used as the major deity in this room, its size and placement in obvious reverence indicate this. ~!~ This is one of a relatively small assortment of rings found at this altar that her journals tell us were made for, or by her and her female staff practitioners with alleged metaphysical properties for their own use of ritual wear and chanting prayer invocation at this altar. There are many other entries concerning their (the women who used this altar) use of this altar, their contemplations and meditations where "The Goddess is revered by placement and facilitation," which we take to mean who was with her at altar and, "used as a source of energy for Goddess Invocation." The Ring Its Components and Minor Commentary ~!~ The Silver More often than not, her metal of choice was silver as she notes, "Silver is the mirror of the soul related to the moon energies. It strengthens connections of the astral and physical bodies. A metal unmatched in its psychic energies and healing abilities, I have used it as a spell medium, to heal the speech impaired and to help public speakers achieve eloquence. Induced into the drink, it has expelled the toxins that caused headaches, arthritis, intestinal and blood disorders. More importantly it attracts, enhances and stores energies of gemstones, driving out negative energies the stone may have absorbed." ~!~ Los Angeles Indonesian Sterling Silver The ring setting was custom made for her by an unnamed silversmith employed by an Indonesian/American, practitioner, follower, of Los Angeles she did business with from 1970, to 1977. A Los Angeles Indonesian, craftswoman with four silversmiths in her employ, she also had family connections in Indonesia who acted as her buyers. She produced and procured a series of custom jewelry designs that became widely copied. ~!~ GiJong Monk's White Jade Her journals tell us the 15.875 x 12.7 x 4.7625 mm, 7.78 ct., high oval white jade cabochon used in this ring was ground and polished from a remnant of the 16" tall white jade GuanYin carving also shrined in this room, which had been carved in China from stone they name as "White Temple Jade" alluding to it being from a mystical mountain temple of white jade and brought to the estate by the GiJong Monk! They commissioned the cabochon from a New York gem cutter, practitioner and follower she names as,"Jew George" in 1965. George had been introduced to her by her long time friend Maya Deren in the 1950's and had been responsible for many of the gemstones used in their jewelry. ~!~ Her journals and inventory also tell us the jade pieces were brought to the estate unpolished in canvas sacks and presented to his mistress by the GiJong Monk. ?Some of the mystical jade he had obtained in and brought back from China in 1937 along with the 16" statue? according to one of her entries, but the details of his acquisition are unclear. Her journals referencing "The GiJong Monk" span a six decade period. "A master mesmerist" according to many of these entries. A number of hypnosis devices were found in this estate that were attributed to him, at least in design. Although she claims, "it is not an illusion" it is alleged he amazed many with his ability to transform into a Phoenix and back again in the blink of an eye. She writes, "Feng is Loa to his ancient line, owing his blood an eternal debt." Apparently this man, described as, ?well dressed, tall, handsome, well groomed, and a cunning linguist? was apparently quite the showman. Known for "fascinating with illusion" he would often perform at a number of gatherings held at the estate. ~!~ According to her journals, ?he is known to seek out Oriental artifacts with spiritual attributes.? Of this white jade she writes, ?revealed as a Tsung and Han Yu stone of ancient origin it is a true dream talisman that works well at altars of the moon. It's energies are of the spirit realms and it has proven a useful ward of negative energies, allowing harmonious self alignment." Not knowing what a, "Tsung Stone" or "Han Yu" were, our research revealed that after death, the Tsung would be placed on the chest and a "Pi" disc at the back, so the departed would be firmly between heaven and earth and in no danger of becoming lost or taken to any of the hells. The Chinese also placed jade pieces in the mouths of the dead as a protection for them, these were known as han-yü (mouth-jade). Also, many ancient temples favored white jade ornaments for the Altar of the Moon sacrifices. This jade is alleged to have metaphysical properties for their use at this altar. There are numerous entries in her journals concerning their (the women who used this altar) use of this altar, their contemplations and meditations where Guan Yin was, "revered by placement and facilitation" which we take to mean who was with her at altar, "used as a source of energy for Goddess Invocation." ~!~ Guanajuato Bokor's Pyrite Marcasite or correctly, Pyrite, was frequently used in her jewelry as she notes; "it inspires relaxation and spiritual reflection allowing me greater focus and reflection. I have also found it to be an aid in recalling past life memories." ~!~ Her journal entries pertaining to a Guanajuato Bokor with whom she dealt span a two decade period beginning in 1921. The 18, 1.7 mm and 22, 1.18 mm cut pyrite stones in this ring are alleged to have been cut from specimen obtained by this Bokor early in his life. She claims his primary use of this pyrite was as "a dream talisman," writing, "this energy is suited to allow entry into and manipulation of the dreams of others and I have used it as such. This is an energy that has been favorably used in dream manipulation of the unborn fetus." ~**~ and Back to the Ring The ring is marked 925 with no maker's or assay marks and tests as .925 Sterling Silver Standard. It is a ring size 8 and the ring face measures approximately 7/8" x 5/8" x 9/16" and weighs 9.1 grams. It is certainly a magnificent vintage ring with an extraordinary provenance that is much nicer than the photographic images have been able to depict. ~!~ 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! This is truly a rare opportunity to own anything with attributes to this estate. The majority of this estate is now gone. Most of what we had left, and it was considerable, has been split up and sold to a couple of private, foreign collector practitioners and will never be available to the public again. We made the decision to do this as we have had some pretty strange visits from even stranger individuals and there have been enough unexplained phenomenon going on in the warehouse where her things were kept that many of our employees refused to go in there. The pieces offered and sold here are some of the few remaining pieces that will ever be offered to the public. Nice addition to any collection, altar, wardrobe or decor, displays really well. Really doesn't get any better than this. There are 10 photographs below to tell the rest of this tale. Buyer to pay $7.25 for Insured USPS Ground Advantage Mail with Tracking, handling and lagniappe. We Combine Shipping. Rest assured your order will be carefully packed to withstand the onslaught of the most deranged of Postal Workers. International Buyers, please email us for a correct, or combined shipping quote. Payment is due at listing end. Check our other listings and sign up for our newsletter as new items are usually listed daily. 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