~ Voodoo Priestess Estate ~ ©

Botak Chin's, LP Nak BE 2443 Phra Pidta Amulet

with

.930 Enameled Thai Silver Reliquary Case

and

Bali Sterling Silver and Red Howlite Skull 

Fifty-Four Count Mala Necklace

A LiDiex Chapel Find

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This is another of our very long listings with an abundant text and 15 photographs, so please sit back and give them time to load.

If you have come this far, we feel you will find it was worth the wait.

It has now been just over twenty-two and a half years (12/06/2001) ago 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 little more than unnerving.

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

The amulet and necklace shown here were found and recovered from what was named, "The LiDiex Chapel Room."  This was not the largest of the altar rooms but large nonetheless, as it measured 17 x 24 feet!  But it certainly was an unusual room that in describing, we could just as well be describing an ancient Cabinet of Curiosities.  It was indeed used as their chapel, "A place of solace and meditation where ancestors are revered," according to one of her journal entries. 

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This Pidta, is one of the nine Phra Pidta found together in a Thai Spirit House reliquary recovered from this room.

The Botak Chin Amulets

Long thought to have been sold out, the Phra Pidta amulets attributed to the notorious criminal named Botak Chin we recovered from their "Pool House Altar" were thought to be all of them that remained.  In part due to our own Uncle Waddy placing them in his personal collection with no note of our ever having them to begin with and his adhering to our belief there were no more.

According to her journaled inventory, the Botak Chin Phra Pidta amulets we did recover were thought to be what remained of a group of similar amulets brought to the estate by the GiJong Monk during his 1977 visit.  We later unpacked and closely examined a group of Buddha images from the suite of the 1888 LiDiex to find four more tucked up inside the bottom of one of the images, held in place with a leather wad. These too have also been sold.

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The GiJong Monk

 

Her journals note of many meetings over a six decade period with a man she names as, "The GiJong Monk."  "A master mesmerist," according to many of these entries.  A number of hypnosis and devices of illusion were found in this estate which are attributed to him, at least in design.

 

From their journals it is apparent this was a tall, handsome, well dressed, versed and spoken Chinaman that was a welcome guest and associate, known to be well received entertainment to his hostess and her guests.  Although she claims, "it is not an illusion," it is alleged he amazed many with his ability to transform into a Phoenix, a tiger, a peacock, and back to a man again in the blink of an eye.  She writes, "Feng is Loa to his ancient line, owing his blood an eternal debt."

 

He was also associated with many of the Oriental jade artifacts recovered from this estate and known to participate in the rituals that took place there.  He is also known to have accompanied her, and/or others associated with her in their travels and was responsible for the procurement of many unusual artifacts recovered from this estate.  These amulets among them!

 

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Her journals and inventory tell us he obtained the amulets from a ranking Malaysian Police official and friend, who is said to have obtained them from the residence and gang hideout of a man known as Botak Chin, but the officer gives us no further attributes concerning their history.

 

Botak Chin

 

The name Botak Chin meant nothing to us, but our research revealed he was born as Wong Swee Hin in Kuala Lumpur in 1951.  His claim to fame was that of a Robin Hoodesque, armed robber, gang leader and killer who terrorized Kuala Lumpur in the mid 1970s.  Despite numerous run-ins with police and rival gang members he nearly always escaped capture unscathed.

 

He was captured twice.  One arrest led to trial, conviction and a prison sentence and the other trial, conviction and sentence of carried out execution.  His ability to escape capture and avoid injury from the weapons of his enemies is attributed to a series of amulets he is said to have worn, but at the times of his arrests, he had neglected to wear them.  Some evidence points to the Malaysian police seeking help from Thai Buddhist monks to make amulets for them to counteract the ones Chin used so they could capture, kill him, and/or afford them protection from Chin and his gang, who were known to gun down Police Officers in order to steal their guns and ammunition.

 

Chin is said to have requested his amulets to be with him at his execution, a request which was denied by the judge for fear he would use them to escape!

 

One unconfirmed rumor has it the Phra Pidta amulet gained the popularity it did through the hero worship of Botak Chin, who had a cult following in Malaysia and Thailand.  So much so, that the wearing of a Phra Pidta amulet was illegal in Singapore as it was causing people to think themselves invulnerable and causing them to commit crimes!

 

Tok Raja, a renown Thai monk named Mr. Khoo Hun Chong of Penang was responsible for the making of many of Botak Chin's amulets.  He was well known by many including those associated with this estate as Tok Raja, Luang Po Khron, Ah Kong and Uncle Khoo.  Although he is attributed with making many of Botak Chin's amulets, our research shows he died when Chin was ten years old!  He very well may have been responsible for the making of some of Chin's amulets, but Tok Raja certainly did not make them for Botak Chin, or anyone else for that matter to use in robberies and killings, and he did not, through black magic, assist the Malaysian Police in Chin's capture as one rumor has it.

 

This information is readily available to those who wish to research this subject further.

 

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Luang Phor Nak

aka LP Nark, Wat Huai Chorakhe

 

According to their journals, "this amulet has been positively 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 and convoluted 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 inscribed yant-yun are ale 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 style attributed to an LP Nak, abbot of his temple and all ensuing abbots of Wat Huai Chrakhe to this day.  The inscribed yants on this one appear to be hand done and do exhibit a good deal of wear, which one would expect on an aged devotional votive such as this.

 

The amulet measures approximately 1 1/8" x 13/16" x 1/2", and weighs 25.3 grams.

Nineteen of these Pidta with near identical attributes were recovered from this estate, and each of them, although quite similar, vary in size, weight and alloy composition.  We believe this goes to further authenticate them,  being individually hand made antiques rather than modern mass produced replicas.

 

Gold Blessed

 

This 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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 This Pidta

 

Botak Chin favored the Phra Pidta and had amassed a sizable collection.  She tells us (as related by the GiJong monk) that more than one policeman had looted the possessions of Botak Chin but his man had gotten one half of all of the amulets.

We have it from a reliable source, that no evil curse magic was used in the making or chanting of these amulets. 

 

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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" or Uncle Khoo 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.”

 

 She also tell us the oral tale of the GiJong Monk, after acquiring the amulets in Malaysia, traveled with them back to Thailand in search of the Monks who made them, or the Wats where they were made.  Most he queried felt they were new, (circa 1950-1960), but none could definitively identify them. They all confirmed them as authentic, Monk made from ‘Special Holy Chalk Powder and a Secret Formula of Herbs and Flowers, Lek Lai, Lek Lai alloy or Alchemic Mercury Silver.  Specifically the monk’s he consulted concurred, no human remains or corpse oil (Nam Man Prai), was used in any of their making.

 

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 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 Not Original To This Estate!  It is a relatively new, custom made case obtained from a group of Chiang Mai silversmith monks who specialize in amulet cases.  It is hand made from high grade, .930 enameled Thai Silver that is hinged at the bottom for easy access and features clear plastic viewing windows front and back.

As cased, this amulet measures approximately 2" (with bale), x 1 1/4" x 13/16", and weighs 41.2 grams.

The case is unmarked, with no maker’s or assay marks, and test as .930 Silver Standard.

 

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Bali Sterling Silver and Red Dyed Howlite Skull, Fifty-Four Count Mala Necklace

 

 Her journaled inventory tells us this fifty-four count skull, single amulet mala necklace is part of a group that were custom made for the LiDiex that she and three of her practitioner staff made during a ceremony of prayer bead making in 1979. 

Examination reveals a Bali Sterling Silver and red dyed howlite skull, Fifty-Four Count Mala Necklace, single amulet mala necklace, 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 twenty-four assorted beads, spacers and ring 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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Red Dyed Howlite Skulls

 

Her journaled inventory also tell us, the fifty-four red dyed howlite skull beads used in this mala necklace are part of a group that were cut from stone she obtained as trade goods in Southern California in 1956.

 

Years later, after having these, "cut and charged", as she calls exposing them to one of their vat dyes in their glassworks, which in the case of these stones effectively dyed them to their current deep red color.

 

Unfortunately this section of her journal ledger is all but destroyed from water intrusion and what she tells us about this treatment is lost to the ages.

 

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What we can decipher from these entries, were the dyes used on these stones was staff manufactured using the estate grown material.  This treatment did certainly enhance the color of these stones, as the skulls are a striking red color.

 

The skulls are of fine grind and polish, and measures approximately 9.525 x 7.9375 x 7.9375 mm.

 

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All of these have been hand knotted, and strung together with black yak sinew to form this amulet mala necklace measuring approximately 27" in overall length.

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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As stated above, this amulet ensemble also bears the distinction of having been part of Uncle Waddy's personal collection which he assembled from the amulet, case and necklace described above.  Twice before we had requested he part with pieces from this extensive collection which he had done so reluctantly last year and more or less sold out.  Going back to the well again so to speak, we did not expect to fare as well if at all this time, as he had told us the last batch was absolutely the last he is parting with!  So much for saying no to his granddaughters.

This amulet ensemble was meant to be part of a Botok Chin collection to be displayed in his conference room.  A project that never got off the ground.  It did however, free up the collection to the Botak Chin and Pidta collectors and worshippers.

 

It will come to you mounted and blessed (as shown) by at least one senior monk of Wat Buddharangsai who thank you for the homage paid Theravada Buddhism.

 

This is certainly a fine 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!

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 15 photographs, so please give them time to load, and enjoy the listing. 

Buyer to pay $0.00 for Insured 1st. Class Mail with USPS Tracking and handling with lagniappe.

Rest assured your order will be carefully packed to withstand the onslaught of the most deranged of Postal Workers.

 

International Buyer's, pleas email us for a shipping quote.

Payment is due at listing end.

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©Text and Photos Copyright 2001-2024 bushidobuce, all rights reserved.

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You are buying the amulet case and necklace described above and shown below only, but you knew that already.

 

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Our photographs are never enhanced or manipulated.

They were taken using incandescent lighting (above), broad spectrum led, Ultra Violet and Infra-red lighting (below).

 

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