Antique Shiwan Ceramic Wall Pocket Double Chopsticks Holder, China (19325A-GHK)

Description

Shiwan stoneware wall-pocket “vases” were used to hold functional items like flowers and chopsticks and were in most Chinese homes by the late Qing Dynasty. Chopsticks holders were symbols for fertility and traditionally part of a dowry as the word for chopsticks (kuizi) is a pun for ‘speedy arrival of sons’ Perhaps having a two-part holder with interlocking coins (lianqianwen) which symbolizes wealth is a double wish or meant for a larger family. 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 symbolize conjugal fidelity. The meander pattern border called clouds and thunder symbolizes life-giving rain and abundance. Decorative, functional-and-utilitarian every day folk-art 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 catalogue Shiwan Ceramics at the Chinese Cultural Foundation of San Francisco. Shiwan chopsticks holders are wonderful kitchen-accessories, wall-art and unique wedding gifts, and a source of positive feng shui. It is in excellent condition with minor surface fading consistent with age and use. This is part of the VA Antique-Chinese-Ceramics-and-Pottery Collection.

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Sources

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

Fredrikke S. Scollard and Terese Tse Bartholomew, Shiwan Ceramics: Beauty, Color and Passion, San Francisco, The Chinese Culture Foundation of San Francisco, 1994. (p. 41)