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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

Curious Item 3 – Dish with Spout

04/04/2014 //
4

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

Plate with A River Scene

03/25/2014 //
0

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

Oil Jar

03/21/2014 //
0

jar jar jarDIA350xH550mm, Hong Kong

Jars were used to contain sauces, paste and oil for sale in the grocery stores.  In the old days, it was these jars would be reused and everyone would bring their own bottles and containers to buy the stuff which are either wrapped in newspaper or tied together by a string of plant fiber (Cyperus Tegetiformis).  There was no concept of being environmentally friendly but the general atmosphere of not being wasteful, objects would take on different function as they fit again and again until it disintegrates.

Sadly, the jars and the recycled bottles have been replaced by plastic ones, local grocery stores by supermarkets and our countryside replaced by landfills.



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Categories container, pottery

Offering Plate

03/06/2014 //
0

plateplateDIA100xH140mm, China

This is an offering plate for the gods at the temple or even at the shrine at home.

The offerings are broadly divided into 5 groups; tea and wine, incense, fruits and cakes, the 5 grains, animals.  These offering has to be aesthetically beautiful, making a melodic sound and of course tasty.

However, it seems Master Chin Kung’s teaching makes more sense.

Instead of tea and wine, water should be offered, our mind should be as pure and peaceful as water.
We should understand the meaning of what it is we are offering.

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Categories container, pottery

The Drunken Poet

02/28/2014 //
0

figurineL160xD100xH120mm, China

This figurine is by the famous pottery area Shi Wan; their figurines are typical to have a glazeless delicate facial and hand depiction while contrasting with an expressive and bold glazing on the clothing.

The drunken poet, Li Bai, is a popular subject for figurine, paintings, etc., apart from his literary stature, his love for drinking also give a character for the artisan to express.

月下獨酌

花間一壺酒
獨酌無相親
舉杯邀明月
對影成三人
月既不解飲
影徒隨我身
暫伴月將影
行樂須及春
我歌月徘徊
我舞影零亂
醒時同交歡
醉後各分散
永結無情游
相期邈雲漢

The poem “Drinking Alone under the Moon” by Li Bai, translation by W. Bynner

From a pot of wine among the flowers
I drank alone. There was no one with me—
Till, raising my cup, I asked the bright moon
To bring me my shadow and make us three.
Alas, the moon was unable to drink
And my shadow tagged me vacantly;
But still for a while I had these friends.

To cheer me through the end of spring . . .
I sang. The moon encouraged me.
I danced. My shadow tumbled after.
As long as I knew, we were boon companions.
And then I was drunk, and we lost one another.
. . . Shall goodwill ever be secure?
I watch the long road of the River of Stars.

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Categories figurine, pottery

Unearthed Bowl

02/26/2014 //
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bowlDIA155xH60mm, China

A simple bowl, the colour of the glazed is almost the colour of nature itself.

This bowl has been buried underground and unearthed, the artificial colour, glossiness and form seems to be tamed by nature itself.

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Categories container, pottery

Wine Cup

02/18/2014 //
0

cup

cup

DIA80xH60mm, China

This small wine cup is decorated with all the lucky symbols.

One the outside of the cup, are 5 red BATS circling the word LONGEVITY, next to it is a large green BAT hanging from it are a couple of GOLD COINS.  On the inside of the cup, there is a LOTUS leave at the bottom with LOTUS BLOSSOMS on the side.

BAT – the word BAT (蝠 fu) have the same pronunciation as the word (福fu), symbolizing being blessed.
LONGEVITY – needs no further explanation
GOLD COINS – wealth
LOTUS BLOSSOM – the lotus plant grows on muddy ponds, the idea that such beautiful flowers can appear untained by the mud resembles purity

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Categories container, pottery

Begonia Shape Bowl

02/10/2014 //
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bowl

square bowlW230xL230mm, China

Begonia shape?  I see no flower but only a squarish bowl, what is this all about?

The begonia shape comes from the outline of the flower, the niches formed by overlapping of the petals are conceptualized.  Gone are the details of the flower, the anther, the stigma and even the petals, what remains in the negative of the flower.  The begonia shape is a popular decorative element and is not restricted to pottery, it expand also to the realm of architecture; doorways, windows, gillworks, pavings, etc.

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Categories container, pottery

Elephant

02/06/2014 //
0

elephant

W130xL200xH130mm, Hong Kong

A pottery elephant is made with one single sheet of clay and decorated with under glaze.

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Categories figurine, pottery
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