~ Voodoo Priestess Estate ~ ©
BE 2443, LP Nak 6 Hand Phra Pidta Amulet
in
.800 Thai Coin Silver Reliquary Case
with
Bali Sterling Silver and Che-qu Skull Fifty-Four Count Mala Necklace
A Spell Box of the Main Séance and Reading Room Find
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This is another of our very long listings with an abundant text and 13 photographs, so please sit back and read the listing through.
If you have come this far, we feel you will find it was worth the wait.
Twenty-three years (12/06/2001) have now passed since we were called to do an estate that had been closed up for seventeen years!
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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 bit 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 lot from this estate, complying with the terms set forth to us by the estate's attorney.
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Some Back Story
The amulet mala necklace shown and offered here is the last of the six that were found and recovered from the antique jewelry casket (shown above and previously sold/not part of this deal). That is last of the three boxes recovered from a cabinet in the foyer lounge to her main séance and reading room. These rooms were a commercial endeavor that had a wealthy following and it is where many of the major séances of this estate were conducted. Many, if not all of her associates worked this room, conducting séances, card readings and numerous forms of divination for their clientele. Apparently this was a lucrative endeavor, as it remained active for over six decades. Her journals tell us they had loaded this box with items they felt they could sell at a premium, whether through enchantments they had placed on them and/or through an items history of its own performance.
Their journals list a host of well known psychics, mediums and other celebrities that would make guest appearances and that these events were booked to capacity well in advance.
Her journals and inventory tell us this unusual mala necklace was assembled posthumously as a commemorative to the 1898 LiDiex by her and "a few staff members during a ceremonial prayer bead making session in October of 1976." They apparently did this once a year up until the time of her death.
The Amulet
They also tell us this cased Phra Pidta amulet used in this mala is one of the artifacts taken posthumously from the personal property of the 1898 LiDiex which in our humble opinion, has been loosely identified as a BE 2443 (1900 AD), LP Nak, 6 Hand Phra Pidta.
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Luang Phor Nak
aka LP Nark
Wat Huat Chorakhe
According to their journals, "this amulet has been identified as a BE 2443 (1900) Phra Pidta of the venerable LP Nak by the abbot of Wat Huai Chrakhe."
We however, are not so sure this pedigree actually exists! What little information available to us about LP Nak, aka LP Nark of Wat Huai Chorakhe, sometimes referred to as Wat Huay Jorake is copied and pasted material that has been plagiarized so often by Chinese sellers that one might doubt LP Nak ever existed?
Allegedly, he died in 1909 and these amulets are attributed to him as being non-posthumous, made in 1900 from his own formulae of magic mystery metal. The unidentified bronze-like material, posturing of the depiction, and yant-yun are all identifiable characteristics of these amulets. They are said to command high prices that compare to the most valuable of Somdej, but we have yet to see one. What we are able to document is the abbots of Wat Huai Chorakhe claim to have the original molds and recipe and continue to make these very popular amulets today in order to raise funds for temple renovations. They are available today in the temple shop priced from $2900 Thai Bhat ($96.10 USD) and up, depending on the material.
They are also profusely counterfeited and offered on sites like ebay in a variety of materials for as little as .99 cents!
Even if we were able to positively identify this amulet as circa 1900, we can assure you, it's value would not come close to the $30,000+ valuations of some Somdej.
Although, it is said that Botak Chin favored this amulet and is said to have verified it's authenticity in a police interview, this having to do with his procurement of it, which we are assuming to have been through a robbery. Which by the way, would make this amulet all the more auspicious!
Examination reveals a dense, deceptively heavy bronze Phra Pidta in a six hand style attributed to an LP Nak, abbot of his temple and all ensuing abbots of Wat Huai Chrakhe to this day. The yant on this one is in high relief and the amulet measures approximately 1 3/16" x 15/16" x 9/16", and weighs 32.6 grams.
Gold Blessed
The amulet also bears the residual of 22k and/or 24k gold leaf sheets (pit tong) that were used to perform a blessing ritual called "Na Na Tong."
The LiDiex journals tell us, "Na Na Tong is a great charm. It brings with it what the Thai calls Metta mahansaney and mahaniyom (to be well liked, have great charm, attract business, attract the opposite sex, provide protection and bring good luck)."
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Phra Pidta
Also known as Phra Pitta, or simply Pitta, this is one of the most distinctive of Thai amulets. This votive has an easily recognizable structure. With his hands covering the face, it is an image which leads many to believe it was a ritual image rather than a formal religious image that relates to Buddhism. Its origin however is believed to be a form of evolution through the transformation of the God of Fortune, or Sangajayana, often referred to regionally as "Sangaja."
Phra Pitta has many forms, sizes and materials in producing this image. Older versions may be produced with the combination of either holy powder or with metals such as silver, iron and in some cases, ivory-tusk or wood.
It has a large following and is abundantly available in shops that specialize in the trade of Buddhist images. One predominant belief concerning these charms is it offers protection to the wearer and seals the mouth of those who intend to speak ill of you. It is also believed to afford invulnerability or more specifically, impenetrability by the evil minds of others.
Made by numerous monks from as many temples, its popularity has made it one of the most copied images on the Thai amulet market as it is still favored among teens and young adults who want this amulet as a protective image for street and gang fighting. This is the legacy left from Botak Chin.
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Phra Pidta is well known and widely accepted to have Buddha like qualities. It is thought to provide protection against danger, bring good luck and success to the owner. Many famous Buddhist masters are attributed with making effective Pidta such as Luang Po Khron better known as "Tok Raja" from Wat Uttamaram, Kelantan in Malaysia and Luang Phor Toh from Wat Pradoochimlee in Bangkok. Besides these two famous masters, there are many others who have made and blessed powerful Pidta amulets.
Its imagery can be traced back centuries. The significance of Phra Pidta in Thailand’s Theravada Buddhist culture is historical and important. To further understand the significance of this talisman, Phra Pidta is highly revered, equal to Phra Sivali in Thailand’s traditions. Both Phra Pidta and Phra Sivali are disciples of Lord Sakyamuni Gautama Buddha. According to legend, both of these disciples are capable to receive unexpected great fortunes whenever they wish due to their advanced Dharma and high respect for Lord Buddha.
It is widely used as a ‘fighting amulet’ by Muay Thai fighters, and still used today by the criminal element in the belief that it is a protection amulet for those dealing in crimes that involve violence. This is obviously not according to any Buddhist belief or tradition. Phra Pidta is the manifestation of a venerable monk during Lord Buddha’s time more than 2,500 years ago. This form and depiction of Holy Pidta images is to help one through life’s obstacles but not through killing or stealing.
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According to one of her journal entries, “They offer various levels of protection, if we but remember that our misfortunes arise from what we see, say or hear. Pidta covers his eyes to remind us to beware of what we see, covers his mouth to remind us of the dangers of the tongue and his ears to draw our attention to the dangers of gossip.”
One of her other journal entries read; “these amulets do possess a great deal of power that affords one wonderful experiences, provides wealth, luck, property, and good fortune in response to prayer”
The Case Nearly five thousand amulets are said to have been procured from this region over a four decade period, as noted in their inventories. We recovered just over four thousand of them. Most of these did not have cases. Apparently they had individual cases made, much like today, in sizes to fit the variety of amulets, and they used a few cases for them. These were made from copper, brass, silver, gold and platinum and run the gamut from plain to ornate. This case Is Original To This Amulet and This Estate, having been fit by a silversmith monk's at a temple counter which specialized in amulet cases, this according to the 1898 Lidiex journal which attests to his having witnessed its making from Thai Bia which is silver coinage hammered into sheets. This case is hand chased with viewing windows and enameled. It is unmarked, with no maker's or assay marks and tests as .800 Silver Standard measuring approximately 1 7/8" (with bale) x 1 1/8" x 7/8" as cased with the amulet.
The 1898 LiDiex
The research involved in this estate has provided continuous fascination for over two decades. The owner and user of this amulet was a man known only as, "LiDiex." A 5th. generation descendant of the original man known only as, "LiDiex" to these shores, who arrived as a survivor and saboteur of the slave Ship Henrietta Marie in 1701. It is said he facilitated this disaster using egg shells to cast a spell, and certain folklore concerning egg shells corroborate this.
He then found his way to New Orleans to meet with the parents of the then infant grandmother (Marie Laveau) of our infant priestess, making him over one hundred years old around the time of her birth. He had taken up trade as a wood carver and furniture maker as would many of his descendants.
The 1898 LiDiex branched off into glassmaking after returning to New Orleans from an extended stay in Europe where he studied the glass making techniques of Murano and Bohemia. In addition to being the maker of a proliferous collection of glass, many pieces being described as having a wide variety of metaphysical attributes, he was a meticulous carver, responsible for an array of carvings, wood puzzle boxes and furniture recovered from this estate.
He is mentioned in numerous journal entries as one of the LiDiex who accompanied her on many of her adventures, being a trusted practitioner and follower of his mistress. Their recovered journals show him as one of her chief enforcers and a "Zuvembie" leader, often referred to as, "a skilled sorcerer, tactician, warrior and artist," who was deeply involved in her works.
He continued making glass with metaphysical attributes for her and her followers right up to the time of his demise in 1968.
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Bali Sterling Silver and Che-qu Skull, Fifty-Four Count Mala Necklace
Their journals and inventory go on to tell us six of these amulet necklace malas were made posthumously for this LiDiex in 1976, as stated above. Examination reveals a Bali Sterling Silver and Che-qu, Fifty-Four Count Mala Necklace, for a single amulet, as the title implies.
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The Sterling Silver
More often than not, their 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."
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Sanur Pandai Sudra Sterling Silver
The LiDiex journals tell of their dealings with a family of, “Sanur Pandai Sudra” over a four year period of 1957 through 1961. Some of these entries read, “a family of traditional Balinese smiths and sorcerers, descended from a long line of craftsman sorcerers of Sanur. They are in possession of authentic, ancient Hindu lontars, (Holy inscriptions written on the leaves of the lontar palm) that tell of the mythical history of their arts.”
“They are known locally as pande mas, trained by the Gods."
“Although they are low caste sudra, they are sought out for their work in silver, gold and sorcery. They claim to be direct descendants of Brahma.”
The word 'pandai' means both 'smith' and 'clever'.
Their journal and inventory entries attribute the fifteen assorted hooks, rings, beads and spacers they chose for this mala necklace as being obtained from these, "Sanur Pandai Sudra.”
Unmarked, all test as .925 Sterling Silver Standard.
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Che Qu Skulls
Her journaled inventory goes on to tell us the fifty-four white skull beads used in this mala necklace are, “Che-Qu," and are part of a large lot of antique beads she traded for in the Namche Bazaar in 1958. "The monk traded a duffle bag of goods for a .303 Lee Enfield rifle and fifty rounds of ammunition,” according to that entry. The rifle would be worth between $150 to $500 today, depending on the model and condition.
“Che-Qu" she tells us are fossilized giant clam shells found in the mountainous regions of Tibet and Nepal.
It is alleged that they have been carved by regional holy men.
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She refers to these as, "Giant Clam Power Beads that ease stress and bring clarity," and, makes a number of journal entries concerning them, some of which read; “this is an advanced holy material to the Tibetan Buddhist. Scientifically, these fossilized giant clam fossils have been shown to generate strong magnetic fields that folklore tells us will protect one from evil spirits.”
“They are used by Tibetan healers in treating blood circulatory problems, stress management, depression, headaches, insomnia and recuperation from illness and wounds.”
Analysis of this material shows it is composed mostly of calcium carbonate and shell keratin's, in addition to a dozen different amino acids and numerous trace elements.
The skulls are of fine grind and polish, and they measure approximately 9.525 x 9.525 x 7.9375 mm.
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All of these have been hand knotted and strung with black yak sinew to form this unusual, fifty-four count, amulet mala necklace measuring approximately 29" in overall length with a 15" drop and weighing 109.9 grams!
She writes of the acquisition of a large quantity of this sinew from a, "Chinese healer and talisman maker known for and sought for his works," purchased at the Namche Bazaar of Nepal in 1928.
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Those associated with this estate were known high stakes gamblers with a penchant for winning. They note of their amulets being instrumental in this and also note of donating a large portion of their winnings to the poor.
They had much in common with our own Uncle Waddy who touts the Phra Pidta as a good luck gambling charm. In discussing this with a small group of petty gamblers at a scratch off ticket machine at a Publix grocery, he proved his point by betting the group of four that he could pull a substantial win from the machine with the only cash he had in his pocket ($11) and this amulet which he had been wearing. Taking the bet, he took the amulet off and holding it in an Anjali mudra with the $11 he scryed the machine offerings and chose the $10 and $1 tickets shown above which returned $710, plus the $300 bet from the group. This is not the first time that he has done this. He strongly advises donating the majority of your winnings if you use your amulets for this purpose.
This is certainly a fine Occult 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 clients, 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 11 photographs below to tell the rest of this tale.
Buyer to pay $0.00 for Insured Ground Shipping with Tracking, handling and lagniappe.
Rest assured your order will be carefully packed to withstand the onslaught of the most deranged of carriers.
International Buyer's, please email us for a shipping quote.
Payment is due at listing end.
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©Text and Photos Copyright 2001-2025 bushidobuce, all rights reserved.
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