W120xD130xH140mm, Japan
A small paper drawer for storing accessories, the outside of the box is decorated with Japanese paper. I like the details that is put into the box, the edges of the drawers are covered with a tougher brown paper and metal draw pull just complete the miniature version.
L200xW90xH180mm, China
In support for this Saturday’s Harbourfront Bike Ride, hope we will get a harbourfront cycleway soon!
For more details about the event visit:
http://harbourfrontcycleway.hk/hfbr6
DIA140mm, China
It would be hard to guess what is the black metal badge behind the dragon.
….
A bronze mirror! This mirror is unfortunately not polished, so you will not be able to turn it over to re-apply the lipstick after meal.
For the Chinese, the bronze mirror is a lovers’ keepsake, a token of love. The story goes back to the Southern and Northern dynasty; a couple was departed during the war, the husband saw the bronze mirror in half and each kept a piece as a keepsake. Years later, after a lot of hardship the two was able to find each other with the token mirror. And finally the circular mirror was completed again.
破鏡重圓
Something Old Something New
Collectible Jewellery Collection
L170xW90xH170mm, China
Lions, perhaps not being a native animal in China, were considered as mythical creatures, protector and even made to be carriage of Bodhisattva Manjusri.
Chinese lions are often portrayed playing the xiu qiu, symbolizing harmony and joy.
However, does lion really enjoy playing balls like a cat …
DIA100mm, China
A Hakka silver bracelet which is called a Shiu Ag, the Hakka believes that the bracelet can keep the evil “wind” away (驅風), the bracelet is quite popular with the older generation women. In Chinese medicine the sickness of the 4 seasons, cold / dampness / dryness / summer heat / heat (寒，濕，燥，暑，熱) will enter our body through the “wind”, so its best to get rid of the evil wind.
W50xL130xH40mm, China
An orange mouse that has probably had a feast of carrots.
To see our other tin toys, click here.
DIA100xH110mm, China
This old incense burner has a very contemporary design, even the exterior has a glossy finished to it. It would have been used at home for the worship of gods or the ancestors. The interior of the burner would be filled with ashes of the rice bran, these would be used to secure the incense stick. As times goes by the container will be naturally filled with the ashes of the incense.
DIA165mm, China
This beautiful blue beads are jade beads dyed with a technique which dated back to the Han dynasty. Unlike today where a lot of jade are dyed to imitate the perfect shade of green in order to fetch a better price, in the previous dynasties jade are dyed simply for a desired colour. The material is treated almost the same as a piece of cloth.
According to the book Yu Ji (The Record of Jade) of the Qing dynasty jade can be divided into 9 Se and 13 Cai.
“Se” refers to the intrinsic colour of the jade; still ocean black, indigo blue, moss green, peacock feather green, steam chestnut yellow, cinnabar red, clot blood purple, ink black, white as snow to lard.
The 13 “Cai” refers to the dye colour;
chestnut yellow from using earth with a darker shade when using rosin,
sky to sapphire blue from indigo,
peach red from lime,
coal black from mercury,
date red from blood,
parrot green from copper,
other dye colours include cinnabar red, chicken blood read, palm fiber purple, aubergine purple, pine cone green, ginkgo green, okra yellow, wine yellow, fish belly white, brown rice white, shrimp roe green, snot green.
Apart from the colour, the book also describe patterns, textures and even fragrant can be achieved.
H100xW70xD50mm, China
This beautiful figurine of the Guan Yin has unfortunately got his face distorted. We suspected the damage was done during the cultural revolution when all artworks, intellectual works, religion was ordered to be destroyed. From the denting, one can see that perhaps the person ordered to destroy the figurine does not have the heart to do it, despite the hammering the face is still vivid and the garments still carries its form despite being removed from the lotus throne.
L190 (close) 230 (open), China
On old farmer’s folding knife with the handle made out of deer horn. A very well used and well loved piece.
Mountain Folkcraft 