Archives for posts with tag: chinese
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Fermented Tofu Jar

04/22/2014 //
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bean curd jar
DIA190xH200mm, China

Fermented bean curd is one of my favorite condiment.  A savior for a day when dishes are blend, it gives a kick and spice up the meal.  Even with just a piece or fermented bean curd and a bowl of rice, it will make a good meal.

Using a firm type of tofu, with a specific mould is added start the fermentation, after about 36 hours, the first fermentation, the tofu is taken out and pressed onto a bowl of salt.  They are then left in a jar, removing the excess water.  The water are drained out and replaced by Sorghum wine and dried chilli, it is left to ferment for another 2 months.  The finished produce is then packed neatly into a jar to be sold.  When I was a child, glass jar has already been used for the packaging.  This type of pottery jar were used before the glass jar they are replaced by the glass jars.

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Categories container, pottery

Jewellery Box

04/16/2014 //
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OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

W240xD160xH100mm, China

An old wooden jewellery box with compartment, a mirror and a small latch for pad lock.

It gives a feeling of nostalgia and mystery.
Perhaps an ideal setting for a Joseph Cornell type box project.
A box of dream inside a lock treasure box.

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Categories container, glass, wood

Wood Block Print – Confucius and the 4 Sages

04/14/2014 //
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Image (23)

W220xL300mm, China

This new year print is normally found in the village schools for the worship of Confucius.

Confucius is sitting in the middle holding a gui, an element of statue.  On the two sides are the 4 sages, notable Confuciusm figures; Yan Hui (顏回), Zi Si (子思), Zeng Zi  (曾子) and Mencius (孟子).  Apart from Mencius, the other 3 are the favorite student of Confucius.  Mencius was born about 100 years after the death of Confucius and was a student of Confucius’s grandson.  Mencius was expanding Confucius’s philosophy.

As in the wood block print, the 4 sages are normally seen along side with Confucius in the temples of Confucius.

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Categories painting / prints, paper

Curious Item 3 – Dish with Spout

04/04/2014 //
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dish with spoutDIA150xH40, China

A flat dish with a spout.

This is one of the items in the shop that I have problem finding out its use.

Spout – suggest the use for pouring out liquid, powder or beads?
Blue and white under glaze –  suggest a clear liquid (verse ink) so pattern can be appreciated?
Heavy & flat – suggest not intended to be handle often (unlike a teapot)?

If anyone has any idea how this item was intended to be used, please let me know!

If you are interested in solving puzzles, check out the other curious items; A Jade Tool, Paper Lacquered Tray.

Now back to the pattern; clouds and crane.  It is a popular ceramic pattern, it is believe that the crane is a mythical bird and symbolizes longevity.

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Categories container, pottery

Paper Cutout Card

04/01/2014 //
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OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

W130xH160mm, Hong Kong

For the cat lovers, a paper cutout of a cat.
Mounted on a card.

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Categories paper, stationary

Chi Wen – The Roof Hip Monster

03/31/2014 //
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roof lion roof lionL230xW80xH230mm, China

This little monster is the son of the dragon, his name is Suan Ni.  He loves smokes and incense and normally found on the incense burner, as he also loves sitting around Suan Ni is one of the monsters that resides on the roof.  Unlike his brother Chi Wen who loves looking a far and occupies the two ends of the main ridge, Suan Ni sits with the other 4 monsters on the hip of the roof.

The Phoenix Riding Saint – the brother in law of Jiang Zi Ya, who is always nagging Jiang for a promotion in his sainthood.  Jiang, in charge of the appointment of saints put him at the end of the ridge, meaning that anything higher will cause him to fall off the roof.


Followed by the 5 roof hip monsters;

Pheonix – a mythical creature, the queen of all birds.
Suan Ni – the on of dragon who sit around and loves smokes and incense.
Xia Yu – a sea monster, together with Suan Ni, they can control the weather and protect the building.
Xie Zhi – part eagle part leopard, eating all the bad guys, a symbol of justice.
Dou Niu – a type of dragon, able to control the rain.

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Categories figurine, furniture / architecture, metal

Wood Block Print – Mountain God

03/27/2014 //
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Image (36)W220xL300mm, China

There is a believe that there are gods living in the mountain, the woods and the streams; to ensure a safe journey, one would worship these gods before entering the mountain or travelling by boat.

In this wood block print, on the right is the mountain god, on the left his wife, around them their guards and maids.

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Categories painting / prints, paper

Pearl Box

03/26/2014 //
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pearl boxD160xL280xH80mm, China

A box for the precious objects, decorated with mother of pearl inlay describing a scene of plum blossom and playful birds.  The theme of plum blossom and birds often appears in jewelry, paintings and pottery, symbolizing the beginning of a new year (click to see our other items of the same theme).

pearl box

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Categories container, wood

Plate with A River Scene

03/25/2014 //
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plateDIAxHmm, China

This plate depicted a scene from the river, boats scattered around in the water with the landscape at the background.

Rivers are the veins of China, they provide water for irrigation, food source and transport.  River scenes are the homeland for us and dreamland for others.  In the Li River in Gui Lin, cormorant fishing is practiced, these birds are trained to capture the fish that had been attracted to the light from the boat and to bring them back to the fisherman, a bit like the hunting dogs.

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Categories container, pottery

Wood Block Print – Vechical Gods

03/19/2014 //
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wood block printW220xL300mm, China

A Taoist wood block print entitled “Heaven Earth Dragon Carriage”.

On the left of the print is Yuan Shi Tian Zun, the supreme Taoist deity, together with Tai Shang Lao Jun and Ling Boa Tian Zun formed the 3 Pure Ones.  On the right of the print is the Jade Emperor, the God who creates the system of nature and the universe.  Jade Emperor sits inside his dragon carriage and around them the 4 guards; Wang Ling Tian Jun, Pu Hua Tian Jun, General Li, Marshal Zhao.  This new year print is used to bless of journey in vehicles, it is also used on the wedding day after the bride was picked up by the groom’s car, the couple would need to thank the gods for providing a safe journey.

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Categories painting / prints, paper
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