Antique Shiwan Stoneware Wall Pocket Chopsticks Holder, China (16966B PAL)

Description

Chopsticks holders were symbols for fertility and traditionally part of a dowry in the form of wall-pockets as the word for chopsticks (kuizi) is a Chinese pun for ‘speedy arrival of sons’. The front is centered by an upside-down bat (fu) holding a coin surrounded by a ribbon and the combination of coins and ribbons are a rebus for “blessings in front of your eyes”. The combination of symbols with bats represents the Five Blessings or Happinesses that reflects the Chinese belief that having objects with auspicious symbols fills your home with fu and optimistic energy (chi) and strengthens feng sui. The pair of birds on the bottom symbolizes conjugal fidelity. The meander border pattern  with clouds and thunder symbolizes life-giving rain and abundance. Decorative and utilitarian every day Shiwan ware pieces are recognized for their fine modeling, vivid expression, and colorful apple-green and drip glazes. Shiwan potters mixed waste materials with local and inexpensive clay – one of the earliest artistic forms of recycling. Although overshadowed by imperial porcelain, in past decades appreciation for these wares has grown A similar piece is in the exhibition Shiwan Ceramics at the Chinese Cultural Foundation of San Francisco catalogue. Shiwan chopstick holder are unique wedding gifts, especially as kitchen-accessories and as wall-art. This is part of the VA Antique-Chinese-Ceramics-and-Pottery collection.

Click here for the Blog The Allure of Shiwan Pottery

Sources

Frederikke S. Scollard and Terese Tse Bartholomew, Shiwan Ceramics: Beauty, Color and Passion, Catalogue of the Exhibition by the Chinese Culture Center of San Francisco, 1994 , p. 41

Terese Tse Bartholomew, Hidden Meanings in Chinese Art, San Francisco, Asian Art Museum, 2006.