W150xL200xH150mm, China
This is a hand built pottery; a woven basket in the form of a traditional Chinese bamboo creel.
Archives for category: pottery
Dia200mm, China
This is design of the scholar and the incense is a popular design of the De Hua pottery town, a town that has been making pottery since the Ming dynasty. Probably because it is situated close to the coast, by Qing dynasty their work are made mainly for export. The same design has also been recovered from the treasure of the Tek Sing shipwreck.
W140xD110xH70mm, China
This pair of rectangular ceramic brick like objects are actually pillows! Its most natural to seek for something to support one’s head while sleep, by Siu dynasty (600 AD), after trying different material, the Chinese came up with pottery. The earthenware pillows are heavy and hard, these are used for burial. Glazed porcelain are smooth, light and cool; by the Song dynasty they became a household item, there are a vast number of shapes and design. For the reason of firing and the reduction of weight and material, the porcelain pillows are made hollow with airing holes on either side, another reason is for the cooling of the user. At the time when there are no air con, electrical fans, these helped to pass many long hot summer nights. This is a pair of simple rectangular pillow with design of the dragon and phoenix painted on, perfect for wedding.
Congratulation GY and Miranda!
DIA200xH70mm, China
This is a bowl is called the vegetarian bowl, it is used for containing offerings for the Buddhist and Taoist gods on the individual god’s festival, new year and the day that marks the 16th and 21th birthday of a boy. The offering would be of dried fruits, nuts, cakes, etc., presented in the form of a cone. There is an old saying for people with intention, “coming not to worship the Buddha but to have a look at the offering bowls”.
H120xW120mm, China
This is a green glazed shade of an oil lamp, the shade act as a guard for fire prevention and fuel saving device. Its other function is to keep the hungry mouse from consuming the precious oil.
H40xW40mm, China
TRICK OR TREAT?
This is part of a set of the zodiac animals clay gu gu toy. They are called gu gu because they are whistle toy and makes “gu gu” sound. Traditionally families would gather to hand build them together after the harvest season in the winter. The gu gu normally has a black base colour and highlighted with bright colours but unlike the other clay toys they are glazed and then fired. Happy Halloween!
H180xW180mm, China
In the south western part of China days are long and hot, people especially labourer require large quantity of liquid to replenish. In the Qing dynasty, small “two cents” tea houses are quite popular in Guangzhou. These tea houses, furnished only with a few tables and benches, are frequented by coolie taking their breaks and sharing their stories. Hearty food, sweets and tea would be served which is in fact the origin of the morning dim sum. This kind of Shi Wan green glazed teapot would be found in such tea houses.
Man H400xW150mm, China
This is a story about Zhang Chang, a noble official in the Han Dynasty who kept the country at peace for many years. Being faithful and out spoken, others officials were jealous and would find faults in him to report to the Emperor. Zhang’s wife was beautiful, everyday Zhang would touch up her eyebrow before going to work. His rivals reported this to the Emperor and when he was questioned, he answered “there are more ridiculous thing a married couple would do in the bedroom, please ask me only about my duty, what I do with my wife is only my business.” Because of the nature of the story, it is a very popular subject for work of art. The Shi Wan area is famous for its pottery; its beautiful colour glaze, the fine detail and the capture of the gestures.
Fish L200xW100mm, China
These ceramic moulds are for making Guo. The guo is a Chaozhou dumplings made with a thin rice flour dough with fillings of different types vegetable, nuts or beans that can be savory or sweet. Guo is made for Chinese New Year, all other festivals, harvests and all events in life (birth, adulthood, marriage, death). Different guo are made for different events; the red peach guo for new year, vegetable guo for spring and autumn festivals, rice plant guo for harvest. The moulds are made of different patterns for this purpose; the turtle and the peach for birthday – represents longevity, the fish is synonymous with excess (to have more than enough), bat synonymous with blessing, etc. These moulds can be of wood or ceramics.
W250xL250mm, China
Porcelain tiles are often used as a decoration piece in traditional wooden Chinese furniture. These decorative tiles can be found as the panel for the seat or the back of the chair, panels for the door of a cabinet, panels for the back of the bed and as the panel of a screen. The Chinese have viewed ceramic as utensils, it was not until late Ming dynasty when more colourful glazing was developed that ceramic as painting took a fashion.
Mountain Folkcraft 