H300xDia250mm, China
This is a ceramic vase for the preparation of pear wine. The vase is coated with a blue glazing while text in relief are unglazed.
W120xL120mm, ChinaThis is a money pouch embroidery created by young girls not more than 12 years of age. Among other items they prepare will form part of their dowry. What is interesting of this this pouch is the design of the embroidered animals, though the original pattern might have come from the mother or great grand mother, they nevertheless captured a young girl’s perception of the world.
just part of our collection
H170xW170xD70mm, China
In the old days, the Chinese would sit on the ground covered by a thin rice straw mat (similar to the Japanese tatami but with only the top layer). Stone or metal weights will be used to hold down the corner of the mat. These weights are normally based on animals such as lion, tiger, panther, tortoise, deer, sheep etc. The Chinese believe they will give blessing as well as protecting them from evils.
L100xH100xW50, Japan
To continue with the moon theme on the day of “moon chasing”, a rabbit is chosen for today’s topic. In the Japanese folk tale: an old man was at the end of his life, a fox, a monkey and a rabbit came to his aid. The monkey collected nuts and fruits, the fox catch a fish. The rabbit could only come up with some grass, so he decided to jumped into the fire and offer his own body. The old man touched by the rabbit’s act and reveal himself as the Buddha and save the rabbit. It is believe that the pattern on the moon is casted by the smoke when the rabbit jumped into the fire. This papier mache is rabbit from the 12 zodiac figures from the Sendai region. The head of the rabbit is made to swing.
Happy Mid Autumn Festival
H1000xL1000xW300mm, China (Hong Kong)
The Mid Autumn Festival is celebrated on the night when the moon is the fullest. The full moon symbolises a reunion, a blessing for the family. The night of the festival is on the 15th of the lunar august (the day which enters into the second half of autumn). In the Southern part of China, one of the main activity of the festival is the lantern gathering; families will take a stroll with the lanterns while appreciating the fullness of the moon. The lantern take in many forms; rabbit, star fruit, gold fish, carp etc.
L230xW130xH40, China
This is a Four Season Floral Plate use specifically for presenting poultry dishes (roast duck in particular). The four season flowers are: Narcissus, Lotus, Chrysanthemum, Plum Blossom; they represented good fortune for every season.
H120xL120xW30mm, China
Tin toy was introduced into China at the turn of the century and by the 20s China has started producing tin toy. As they are durable and cheap they became the toy for many generations. The name tin toy came from the fact that it is made from thin sheets of steel plated tin which are then painted over. This windup toy of a boy and a dog, this is chosen for the blog because it resemble my dog spike!
H500xW150mm, China (Chaozhou)
There are many different types of puppet in China, this is a Chaozhou wire puppet. It is called a wire puppet because it is controlled by 3 metal wire, one supports the head and the other two control the arms. Its other name “paper shadow puppet” reveals its history; at the Song dynasty the flat shadow puppet was introduced in the chaozhou region, it was later developed into 3D, as the demand from the spectators grow the paper between the puppet and the spectator is removed and the feature of the puppet refined (head, hands and feet, elaborated costumes). The head is made with clay, paper as hands, dried grass as body and wooden carved legs but the wire control remains.
H250xW150xD50mm, Indonesia
This is an Indonesian topeng mask use for traditional dance drama which is most popular in Bali and Java. These dances accompanied by gamelan music are performed during temple festivals and in ceremonies.
Mountain Folkcraft 