W320xH240mm, China
There are different new year print for different blessings, for fertility, longevity, health, prosperity, etc. This particular one is for the livestock and the working cart; sitting in the middle the guy with 3 eyes is Hua Guang, one of the 4 Taoist Saints, a powerful warrior against evils. On both sides of him are 2 banners, 牛馬平安 (blessing to the ox and horses), 日進斗金 (daily income of 100g of gold).
W140xD80xH210mm, China
The white coloured face most often denote a villain in the Chinese opera.
This is a mask of the Qin dynasty prime minister Zhau Gao. In the opera story, “Yu Zhou Feng” (Sword of the Universe) happened in a time during the regime of Emperor Qin Er Shi. Zhau Gao and Kuang Hong was in laws, with Zhau’s daughter married into Kuang’s family. Kuang showed his displeased about how Zhau was manipulating the Emperor caused revenge from Zhau. He has someone stole the well known Sword of the Universe from Kuang and had faked an attempt assassination of the Emperor. Thinking that it was Kuang, the Emperor ordered the execution of the Kuang family. Kuang’s son escaped while his wife Yan Rong (Zhau’s daughter) returned to his father’s home. The Emperor seeing the beautiful Yan Rong and wanted to have her as a concubine but she hated his notorious style of ruling and his father’s treatment to teh Kuang family, she pretended to have gone made in order to escape the Emperor.
W60xD30xH60mm, China
This little gadget is a part of the traditional Chinese stationary. A vessel to contain water for diluting the ink on the inkstone, known as a water drip. The water is drip out from the spout, the velocity of the flow is control by easing the finger placed over the small hole. These water drips though functional is also a item of delight for the scholars, one would have several of these, if I would have to draw a parallel in today’s world … iphone cases I suppose?
DIA150xH70mm, China
This is a hat for the new born baby, a blessing from the mother.
Three different fruits are embroidered on the top of the hat (click on the links for more stories about the symbolism);
Peach – symbolizes longevity,
Promegranate – symbolizes fertility,
Buddha’s Finger – symbolizes happiness.
Embroidered n the back flap are the symbols of;
the word “壽” – longevity,
卐 – “Swastika” – luck,
Double Bat – double blessing.
All the good thoughts from the mother to the child.
W100xD60xH190, China
This is a item which used to be in every household, a pottery chopstick drainer, a bit like the cutlery drainer which is now replaced by the plastic draining tray. I must admit I am part of the plaster tray generation and have never seen the chopstick drainer in action.
On the drainer is written 百子千孫, hundred of sons and thousands of grandsons, a blessing of fertility. At a time when mortality rate is high, a large family to continuation the bloodline is the most important aim in life, though it does such a priority in life as much (particularly with China’s one child policy) its still seen as a welcome blessing for the family.
DIA85mm, China
A jade carved bracelet.
The pattern of the bracelet comes from a bundle of twisted yarn, a pattern that became popular as far back as the Warring State period.
Something Old Something New
Collectible Jewellery Collection
W150xD40xH180mm, China
The two character on this wood block carving is Fan Li Hua and Xue Ding Shan. The story of the two are in opera, movies and on telly with Fan Li Hua being the famous female warrior of the Tang dynasty. Fan was the daughter of the general of the country name Onog, both beautiful and with superb martial skills. General Xue was in charged of expanding on the western territories; Fan was assigned to aid his father at the battle by her mother who also told her that she was destined to marry Xue. Without effort Fan defeated her enemy and requested for a battle with General Xue and quickly defeated Xue as well. Her terms for ending the war was for him to marry her, three times she captured him and released him and . General Xue was moved and the two was married, Fan then pretended to loss the battle and was captured by Xue. Fan then help Xue to conquer the western frontier.
Here is another carving of Fan Li Hau.
DIA150xH20mm, China
To celebrate the victory of Germany winning the World Cup, here a plate with the lion playing with a xiu qiu.
The composition of the lion playing with the ball is a traditional blessing pattern. The lion being nonnative in China was a mystical creature, not only is it the symbol of power and strength, it is also the carrier of the Manjusri Bodhisattva. Lions sculptures are often found outside buildings as the guard against evils. Here is the legend of how this supreme creature start getting addicted playing with balls; during the Southern and Northern dynasty, there is a general named Zong Que who was in a losing battle. Zong thought of a way to breaking out of the surrounding enemy, he had the soldier build a figure of the lion, put on a mask and dressed in yellow fur, from a distance the enemy thought the lion has arrived and flee, enabling Zong’s army to escape from the situation. The army celebrated with the local villages and the tradition went on, to humanize the lion more movements were added as well as the xiu qiu ball. The pattern of the lion and the xiu qiu is a blessing of strength and energy.
Click here to see our other items of the lion and the xiu qiu.
DIA40xH20mm, China
After a feast of Chao Zhou food, trays of Kang Hu Te would be served in tiny cups. They are equivalent of espresso for coffee, a strong and flavorful tea best take in small dosage. They are so tasty and perfect for the digestion that one would often have one too many and end up counting sheep.
Talking about Chao Zhou food, particularly missed the local joint on the building as our shop. Unpretentious, a 4 meter square kitchen, one chef and one waiter, serving the amazing food for 40 guests cramped into the small rooms. Sadly, the chef has retired and the drawnwork yarn shop at the same premise was no longer there. Thinking about it is making my mouth water.
DIA230mm, China
When glass is all round us nowadays, windows, curtain wall building, tables, etc, though they are often at the edge of technology their magic seems to have disappeared. Somehow, this glass bead necklace seems to be able to reclaim some of that magic. The shine of the beads are almost pearl like with a spark of translucency.
Something Old Something New
Collectible Jewellery Collection
Mountain Folkcraft 