Archives for category: lacquer
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Lacquer Gift Box

06/15/2012 //
0

DIA350xH200mm, China

Before the invention of the disposable paper gift boxes and wraps, there were these lacquer boxes for transporting and presenting gifts.  This particular one is for cakes and confectionery gift.  After the gift is received, the boxes will be returned to the sender.  A red packet will be placed inside the boxes as a thank you gesture to the giver, they should never be returned empty.  For bigger celebrations like wedding, the bride’s family will send out boxes of the bridal cake for friends and family as an announcement of the wedding.  The boxes will be rented out from the cake shop, though the wealthy family would have custom made the lacquer boxes for these occasion.  Nowadays the custom is replaced by a cake gift voucher … I must say I would be much happier to receive the gift from a beautiful box like one then a paper voucher, I think it will make the cake taste better and share more of the joy of the happy couple.

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Categories bamboo, container, lacquer, wood

Yangqin

05/29/2012 //
2

L770xW300xH120mm, China

The Yangqin is Chinese hammered dulcimer, however, the original  instrument was imported from Persia in the Ming dynasty (around 1580).  A similar instrument was very popular in Europe during the 14th century which later inspired the invention of the harpsichord, clavichord, piano forte, and eventually the piano.  There are many different types of Yangquin, the one we have here is a Butterfly Yangqin which is similar to the origin version, it is smaller and only has 2 bridges.  Its sound range is limited to the natural note (the sound from the white keys of the piano).  This yangqin has a lacquered box with beautifully gold painting of the 8 Saints, the instrument  is a bit worn out and would require some fixing and tuning before it can be played.  The instrument was made the the Guangdong Ya Yun Leu.

Performance of the Ode to Yellow River with the Yangqin

Same piece performed on the piano by Lang Lang

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Categories lacquer, tools, wood

Golden Wood Carving

04/17/2012 //
0

L130xW50xH150mm, China

This is not a figurine on a merry go round but in fact a warrior at war.  The themes of golden lacquered wood carving are usually based on stories in Chinese operas.  This figurine is most probably from a decorative wall hangers depicting the fighting scene.

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Categories figurine, lacquer, wood

Bamboo Box

03/11/2012 //
0

DIA400xH150mm, China

This is a bamboo weave box normally used for storing small items and for keeping offerings.  The lacquer coating on the interior makes the box more air tight.  The lacquer on the gives the opportunity for gold line decorative painting to be drawn on top if any.

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Categories bamboo, container, lacquer

Lacquer Box

02/17/2012 //
0

W100xL230xH100mm, China

A lacquer box with painted dragon and phoenix which comes with 2 levels and 3 circular compartments. This is probably a box for storing small incense but our customers found it to be a good idea to use it for storing stationary.

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Categories container, lacquer, wood

Chinese New Year Box of Goodies

01/23/2012 //
2

W300xL300xH80mm, China

On Chinese New Year and the few days after, it is traditional to visit family and friends to give them good wishes in person.  Every household would prepare a box filled with goodies to entertain their guests.  The box would contain a set of porcelain dishes so that an assortment of snacks and sweets can be displayed.  The common items to be kept are, melon seeds, sugared melon, coconut, lotus seeds, lotus root, candied kumquat, fried dumpling, sweets, nuts, etc.

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Categories container, lacquer, pottery, wood

Silver Chopstick

01/17/2012 //
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L220mm, China

Chopstick has been around in China for more than 3000 years; there has been many material used for making them, wood, bamboo, ivory, bone, lacquered, silver, gold, jade and of course the recent plastic and stainless steel version.  It is commonly believed that silver is used as a material for its ability to detect poison.  Perhaps it is the tarnishing of the silver from the sulphur in arsenic that made the name of the silver chopstick.  Please dont be alarmed by the tarnished silver on this pair of chopstick, it is due to natural oxidation from its age and not from any poison.  The legend of the silver chopstick goes like this; the famous politician of the Zhou dynasty Jiang Zi Ya was once only interest in fishing (with a straight hook) and nothing else.  His wife got fed up with his idleness and decided to kill him and to marry someone else.  One day as usual, he came home empty handed after fishing, his wife had prepared a spiked up meat dish for his supper, just as he tried to grab the meat a bird flew in and packed on his hand.  The bird did it again and again as he tried to go for the meat, sensing something is out of the ordinary, he pretend to chase the bird and left the house.  Up a hill, the bird told him only to eat with the two sticks on the ground where it stood.  Jiang return home and pick up the meat with the sticks as he was told, smoke appears and his wife fainted.  His eating sticks got famous and everyone started eating with chopsticks.  The moral of the story …. men, dont go fishing too often + remember to bring at least a fish home (even if you have to buy it from the supermarket).

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Categories lacquer, metal, tools, wood

Water Bucket

01/16/2012 //
0

DIA260xH480mm, China

This lacquered water bucket is part of the bridal dowry of a Chinese wedding.  The basic dowry list for bucket section would include a foot a water bucket, a foot washing basin and a chamber pot.  The list for a well off family would go up to more than 20 items.  All these items have in common is that they are all lacquered in red and structurally formed like a barrel, segments of circular planks tightened together by a piece of metal.  The bucket artisan used to be a very popular trade, making every day use items, repairs and of course the dowry items, but as China became industrialized now there is only a handful of old artisan left.

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Categories container, lacquer, wood

Golden Wood Carving

01/08/2012 //
0

L180xD70xH70mm, China

There are many themes for the gold plated lacquered wood carving (so many verbs, but there there are so many layers layers to the work); floral and symbolic carving is one of them.  The two symmetrical flowers are peony, representing wealth and glamour.  The center piece is xiu qiu (embroidery ball) which is a blessing symbol for love.  Many year ago when public dating are forbidden, the girl would select the groom by throwing the xiu qiu.  On the 15th of lunar January / August, the suitors would gather under the ladies’ quarter, the girl would throw the xiu qiu and whoever catches it will be the groom.  This carving is likely to be part of the decoration from the bridal sedan.  (see more about xiu qiu)

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Categories furniture / architecture, lacquer, wood

God of Wealth

12/25/2011 //
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W100xD80xH200mm, China

This is a gold plated figure of the God of Wealth General Zhao Gong Ming worshiped by the Taoist.  The figure is well known to be in armour, one hand holding a piece of gold, the other a silver whip and riding on a black tiger.  Legend had it that originally there were 1o suns, they blasted the earth, Hou Yi was asked to shoot down all of them but one.  The 9 suns became demons, 8 of them revenged and brought about sickness but one of them Zhao became human.  He was trained and attained the power to fight plague, as a reward for his hard work he was made god and in charge of the wealth of the world. You might also known him as one of the door god icon.

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Categories figurine, lacquer, wood
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