W240xD160xH100mm, China
An old wooden jewellery box with compartment, a mirror and a small latch for pad lock.
It gives a feeling of nostalgia and mystery.
Perhaps an ideal setting for a Joseph Cornell type box project.
A box of dream inside a lock treasure box.
W185xL280xH45mm, China
A wooden box that contain a piece of stone. A stone that is used for grinding the ink bar – an inkstone.
A little water is added from the water drip onto the inkstone, one can still starting grinding the ink. In a small circular movement while keeping the ink still perpendicular to the stone, slowing the ink is dissolved. Though the inkstone has a very smooth surface, under the microscope this surface is in fact saw like, able to fine grind the inkstone.
The inkstone is carved out from a single piece of stone and this detail is carried through to the case which is also carved out from a single piece of wood.
DIA150xH40, China
A flat dish with a spout.
This is one of the items in the shop that I have problem finding out its use.
Spout – suggest the use for pouring out liquid, powder or beads?
Blue and white under glaze – suggest a clear liquid (verse ink) so pattern can be appreciated?
Heavy & flat – suggest not intended to be handle often (unlike a teapot)?
If anyone has any idea how this item was intended to be used, please let me know!
If you are interested in solving puzzles, check out the other curious items; A Jade Tool, Paper Lacquered Tray.
Now back to the pattern; clouds and crane. It is a popular ceramic pattern, it is believe that the crane is a mythical bird and symbolizes longevity.
D160xL280xH80mm, China
A box for the precious objects, decorated with mother of pearl inlay describing a scene of plum blossom and playful birds. The theme of plum blossom and birds often appears in jewelry, paintings and pottery, symbolizing the beginning of a new year (click to see our other items of the same theme).
DIAxHmm, China
This plate depicted a scene from the river, boats scattered around in the water with the landscape at the background.
Rivers are the veins of China, they provide water for irrigation, food source and transport. River scenes are the homeland for us and dreamland for others. In the Li River in Gui Lin, cormorant fishing is practiced, these birds are trained to capture the fish that had been attracted to the light from the boat and to bring them back to the fisherman, a bit like the hunting dogs.
DIA350xH550mm, Hong Kong
Jars were used to contain sauces, paste and oil for sale in the grocery stores. In the old days, it was these jars would be reused and everyone would bring their own bottles and containers to buy the stuff which are either wrapped in newspaper or tied together by a string of plant fiber (Cyperus Tegetiformis). There was no concept of being environmentally friendly but the general atmosphere of not being wasteful, objects would take on different function as they fit again and again until it disintegrates.
Sadly, the jars and the recycled bottles have been replaced by plastic ones, local grocery stores by supermarkets and our countryside replaced by landfills.
DIA100xH40mm, China
A pair of peony bowls.
Peony is a flower that has been much appreciated, beyond displaying in gardens.
Its beauty reciprocated in painting, opera and poetry.
Emperor Xuan Gong was with his beloved Lady Yang admiring the peony blossom in the palace garden. Li Bai was summoned to court to write a poem about the peony.
清平调
雲想衣裳花想容，春風拂檻露華濃。
若非群玉山頭見，會向瑤臺月下逢。
一枝紅豔露凝香，雲雨巫山枉斷腸。
借問漢宮誰得似？可憐飛燕倚新妝。
名花傾國兩相歡，長得君王帶笑看。
解釋春風無限恨，沉香亭北倚闌干。
The poem “Lady Yang” by Li Bai, translation by S. Obata
The glory of trailing clouds is in her garments,
and the radiance of a flower on her face.
O heavenly apparition, found only far above
On the top of the Mountain of Many Jewels,
Or in the fairy Palace of Crystal when the moon is up!
Yet I see her here in the earth’s garden
The spring wind softly sweeps the balustrade,
And the dew-drops glisten thickly …
She is the flowering branch of the peony,
richly-laden with honey dew.
hers is the charm of the vanished fairy,
That broke the heart of the dreamer king
In the old legend of the Cloud and Rain.
Pray, who in the palace of Han
Could be likened unto her,
Save the lady, Flaying Swallow, newly dressed
In all her loveliness?
She stands, leaning against the balustrade
Of Chen Hsiang Ting, the Pavilion of Aloes.
Vanquished are the endless longings of Love
Borne into the heart on the wind of spring
The radiant flower and the flowery queen rejoice together,
For the emperor deigns to watch them ever with a smile.
W250xD140xH110mm, China
While researching on other items relating to opium, I realised there has been a mistake.
This item as previously published (2013/10/23) as being a stationary box. Apology! It is actually a box for storing the opium kit.
Similar box can be found in the Brooklyn Museum Collection.
DIA100xH140mm, China
This is an offering plate for the gods at the temple or even at the shrine at home.
The offerings are broadly divided into 5 groups; tea and wine, incense, fruits and cakes, the 5 grains, animals. These offering has to be aesthetically beautiful, making a melodic sound and of course tasty.
However, it seems Master Chin Kung’s teaching makes more sense.
Instead of tea and wine, water should be offered, our mind should be as pure and peaceful as water.
We should understand the meaning of what it is we are offering.
DIA115xH65mm, Thailand
This curious circular lacquer tray has been a puzzle for me, I cannot figure out what was the original usage for such item. The material of the tray is very delicate, made with paper and a semi transparent lacquer.
If anyone know of the origin and usage of this tray, please let me know!
Other unsolved mystery.
This is going to be my next Something Old Something New project, stay tune!
Previous items: Coconut Lid Containers, Lotus Leaf Vessel.
Mountain Folkcraft 