DIA155xH60mm, China
A simple bowl, the colour of the glazed is almost the colour of nature itself.
This bowl has been buried underground and unearthed, the artificial colour, glossiness and form seems to be tamed by nature itself.
Archives for category: container
W120xD130xH140mm, Japan
A small paper drawer for storing accessories, the outside of the box is decorated with Japanese paper. I like the details that is put into the box, the edges of the drawers are covered with a tougher brown paper and metal draw pull just complete the miniature version.
W210xD210xH220mm, China
Birdcages from China can be classified broadly into the northern and the southern type. This distinction by region can also be seen in the shape of the cages as well; northern birdcages are typically circular with a flat top, known as the Tianjin style, the southern types are cubic in shape with the bottom slightly larger than the top, known as the Suzhou style. Suzhou is a province with Gangnam, so I guess we can say this is Gangnam Style.
In the old days birds are probably a more common pet for the Chinese than dogs and cats (who has a duty to guard or to catch mice), birds are there just for appreciation. The birdcages are the habitat, carrier as well as the stage for the birds. Their light mobility provide the bird with different settings; on the table, hang on the beam, on tree, transported to the teahouse of the park to meet other birds, etc, etc.
A very sweet film about a bird, though it is cage it is not held captive. The fledgling was found fallen off its nest and its feather was damaged, unable to fly. For a few days it was kept in a birdcage for the feather to recover, as if the intention has been understood, the mother came constantly to feed her young in the cage. Then second video is when the bird was released and successfully flew.
DIA100xH400mm, Hong Kong
A bamboo sculpture by the Hong Kong artist Bik Cheun Ha (1925-2009).
He started his career as a craft artisan, for his love of creation he became as self taught contemporary artist.
The Hong Kong Museum of Art featured a retrospective exhibition -“From Common to Uncommon – the Legend of Ha Bik-chuen” in 2011.
DIA80xH60mm, China
This small wine cup is decorated with all the lucky symbols.
One the outside of the cup, are 5 red BATS circling the word LONGEVITY, next to it is a large green BAT hanging from it are a couple of GOLD COINS. On the inside of the cup, there is a LOTUS leave at the bottom with LOTUS BLOSSOMS on the side.
BAT – the word BAT (蝠 fu) have the same pronunciation as the word (福fu), symbolizing being blessed.
LONGEVITY – needs no further explanation
GOLD COINS – wealth
LOTUS BLOSSOM – the lotus plant grows on muddy ponds, the idea that such beautiful flowers can appear untained by the mud resembles purity
L300xW250xH150mm, Seychelles
A box that is smooth and polished like on the outside and full of texture in the inside. A container that is made out of the shell of the Coco de Mer, the largest seed of any plant in the world.
The first time I heard about Coco de Mer, was through a radio commercial when I was a child. In this cough syrup commercial, the Coco de Mer was referred to as African deep sea coconut, my imagination went wild – an African jungle at the bottom of the ocean where none of the animal would cough. Then when I am older, occasionally I would be told they are in the content of an exotic soup, it is as hard as wood and taste of nothing in particular.
Only in this research did I realized that they are the seed of a palm tree (not a coconut at all) and only exist in thePraslin islands of the Seychelles (not a underwater jungle).
W230xL230mm, China
Begonia shape? I see no flower but only a squarish bowl, what is this all about?
The begonia shape comes from the outline of the flower, the niches formed by overlapping of the petals are conceptualized. Gone are the details of the flower, the anther, the stigma and even the petals, what remains in the negative of the flower. The begonia shape is a popular decorative element and is not restricted to pottery, it expand also to the realm of architecture; doorways, windows, gillworks, pavings, etc.
DIA130xH110, DIA120xH90, DIA130xH60mm, Hong Kong
This is my newly completed pottery project, continuing with the Something Old Something New theme and the Lotus Leaf Vessel project. I set out to make containers for these antique coconut lids which were featured on the blog a while back. They are beautifully carved with the word “longevity” and the 8 lucky treasures and on the back are sealed with a lead lid.
The containers are glazed with bronze oxide on the exterior to match with the golden longevity symbol on the lids. They will be perfect for offering sweets and other goodies over the Chinese New Year.
DIA270xH200mm, Hong Kong
A large handmade bowl with inlay of black colour slip.
DIA100xH90mm, China
After the miniature bamboo steamer, we have the miniature medicine pot. Made with a sandy type of clay, this pottery container is identical to the real thing. Unlike the normal teapot the handle and the spout are placed in the same direction which makes pouring easier. The doctor for Chinese medicine normally prescribe for the herbs to be boiled with certain amount of water (e.g. 6 bowls) and to be reduced to a lesser amount (say 1 bowl). It will be hard to judge by time how long the brewing will take and every now and then one will have to pour out the medicine to see if the correct amount has been reached.
Mountain Folkcraft 