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Buddha’s Birthday

05/16/2013 //
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buddha's birthday

W130xD70xH400mm, Thailand

Tomorrow is the 2557th birthday of the Buddha, Vesakh, a holy day that commensurate the birth, enlightenment and death of  Gautama Buddha by Buddhist all over the world.  The date of the celebration differ slightly throughout the different countries, 8th of lunar April, in Thailand for example, Vesakh is on the 24th May. 

On this special day, the devoted Buddhist will observe the 8 Precepts:

  1. I undertake the precept to refrain from destroying living creatures.
  2. I undertake the precept to refrain from taking that which is not given.
  3. I undertake the precept to refrain from sexual activity.
  4. I undertake the precept to refrain from incorrect speech.
  5. I undertake the precept to refrain from intoxicating drinks and drugs which lead to carelessness.
  6. I undertake the precept to refrain from eating at the forbidden time (i.e., after noon).
  7. I undertake the precept to refrain from dancing, singing, music, going to see entertainments, wearing garlands, using perfumes, and beautifying the body with cosmetics.
  8. I undertake the precept to refrain from lying on a high or luxurious sleeping place.

If you happen to be in Hong Kong, join in the celebration.

ASIAN FOLKCRAFT COLLECTION
SOIL X MOUNTAIN FOLKCRAFT

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Categories figurine, lacquer, Mountain Folkcraft X Soil, wood

Dalem Topeng

05/02/2013 //
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 H250xW150xD50mm, Indonesia

This is one of the topengs which appear in the introductory of the performance, they are archetype of the character in the show.  In the solo act, the dancer will perform pure dance to show off their dancing skill.  This particular mask is that of the Dalem, the handsome king who is intelligent, noble and strong, an ideal ruler.  The actual performance will begin with the entrance of the king’s servants who wear a half mask as the narrator of the show.  The dalem then re-enter and tackle the political or religious problems of his kingdom.

Asian Folkcraft Collection

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Categories mask, Mountain Folkcraft X Soil, wood

Wayang Golek – Abimanyu

04/29/2013 //
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indonesian puppet

W150xD150xH550mm, Indonesia

Wayang golek is the traditional West Javanese performance of the wooden rod puppet.

Here is a wonderful documentary about the Wayang golek.

The character of this puppet is Abhimanyu, the tragic hero in the Hindu epic Mahabharata.  Son of Arjuna and Subhadra, like his father he was both courageous and a good fighter.  Abhimanyu’s education of becoming a warrior started when he was still in womb of  Subhadra, his father would go through in length different battle formation.  Unfortunately at Subhadra has fallen asleep when it came to the exiting of Chakravyuha and Abhimanyu failed to gain the knowledge and there on the 13th day of the battle he was killed.

Come to see the Asian Folkcraft Collection!

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Categories figurine, Mountain Folkcraft X Soil, puppet, wood

Lotus Pod Necklace

04/25/2013 //
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DIA165mm, China

This is a necklace with a wood carving of a lotus pod.  Like the real thing seeds are movable but cannot be taken out unless you break open the pod.  These fresh lotus seeds were one of my favorite childhood snacks, what can be better  than a soft package with refreshing sweet capsules.  Sadly, they are not as easily found markets of  Hong Kong anymore.

lotus necklace

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Categories event, figurine, jewellery, wood

Opium Scale

04/15/2013 //
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Opium Scale

L180xD90xH20mm, Thailand

For the Asian Folkcraft Collection, we have another tool – an opium scale.  This old scale is neatly set inside a teakwood case with carving on both side.

The scale is to be completed with a set of opium weights.

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Categories metal, tools, wood

Woodblock Print Textile Stamps

04/11/2013 //
2

Fabric Stamp

fabric stamp

W150xL110xD70mm, India

Today for the ASIAN FOLKCRAFT we have a tool.

This is a well used piece of bunta, the wooden stamp used for fabric printng in India.

This beautiful video explains how the stamp is carved and how the printing is done.

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Categories fabric, tools, wood

Soup Dumpling Mould

03/26/2013 //
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Soup Dumpling Mould

W60xL330xD20mm, China

In the book Dream of the Red Chamber (Chapter 35), the young Pao Yu described a soup he had, one with young lotus leaves and lotus flower.  These leaves and flowers are little ornamental dumplings placed inside the soup.  The book went on to describe the moulds for their making.  A set of 4 silver moulds, each just over a foot long and an inch thick.  The moulds are the size of beans, of chrysanthemums, plum blossom, lotus seed, water chestnut.  The Red Chamber is a family of culture and wealth and for the ordinary folks the moulds are made of wood instead of silver.  With the pace of modern living, this delicate soup has now become the 疙瘩汤 … soup with comes from a stock cube and dumpling simply squeeze out of a plastic bag.

Isn’t this sad …

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Categories tools, wood

Monk Figurine

03/25/2013 //
0

W100xD100xH250mm, Thailand

This is a old Thai monk figurine with folded palms,  namaskara mudra.  His palms are placed together at the level of the heart where in India is a traditional gesture of salutation and adoration, one of the oldest Indian mudras, a greeting expressed in the form of a prayer coming from one’s heart.

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Categories figurine, wood

Golden Wood Carving

03/20/2013 //
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Golden Wood Carving

W50xL100xH140mm, China

This is the figurine of one of the five goat riding saints, the legend goes back to 880 B.C. when Guangzhou was constantly hit by famine and plague, there were 5 saints each with a different colour garment and each riding a different colour goat.  The 5 saints each offer 6 stalk of rice to the residence and bless the city to be free of famine.  The goat 羊 is  homophone to the word blessed 祥, which resulted in Guangzhou being also known as the 5 Goats City.  It was a wish for the ancient farmers, never to stave again.

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Categories figurine, lacquer, wood

Sarimanok

03/19/2013 //
1

Srimanok

W500xL450xH500mm, Philippines

This is the mystical chicken from Mindanao of the Philippines, a predominantly Muslim island in the south.  In Islamic legend, the prophet Mudammed found a bird in the first of the 7 heaven, the bird is so large that its crest touches the second heaven.  Its crow would arouse all creatures except humans and judgement day would arrive when the crowing stop.

The word “sari” means colour / garment, “manok” means chicken.  This is expressed clearly in the sculpture which is a symbol of blessing.

The Maranao believes Sarimanok is a totem bird called Itotoro which has a twin bird called Inikadowa.  Inikadowa is a spirit bird that is unseen and through Itotoro as a medium, one can access the spirit world.

 

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Categories figurine, wood
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