Antique Two Sided Sweetmeat Confection-Mold, China (3562BLE) $425

$425.00

H: 15.125″  W: 14.875  D: 1.25″

This beautiful intricately hand carved, decorated and red lacquered confection-mold with carved indentations on both sides was probably an wedding gift for a wealthy family filled with auspicious symbols –  5-petal plum blossoms with vines and seeds are wishes for good fortune, prosperity, long life and many sons.  IT would make a unique wedding gift for a lucky couple.

Description

This confection-mold was likely made in Fujian province famous for small vernacular furniture and decorative accessories made for the new wealthy merchant class of Chinese with no imperial court connections. These flamboyant pieces of Qing furniture and accessories were made to display wealth, often painted red, the color associated with fu,  and highlighted with gold that enhances that red, especially when it is accented with black.This intricately hand carved and decorated confection-mold has smooth carved molds on both sides and was used to make confections called sweetmeats (tianshin) similar to round mooncakes eaten at festivals, holidays, and other key celebrations. One side produces 5 medium size confections and other makes 9 smaller ones. The mold has  easily recognizable auspicious Chinese symbolic wishes:  the 5-petal plum blossoms attached to vines that represent the Five Blessings or Happinesses and seeds in the florals are fertility symbols for male descendants.  Given the coded symbols of fertility for sons, the auspicious blessings of fu this antique-Chinese-wood-carving was probably a marriage gift to a young couple to add positive wishes for a good life with many sons. Kitchen-accessories like this make unique gifts, especially for newly weds.

 

 

Additional information

Place of Origin

China

Period

Antique, Qing Dynasty

Date

19th Century

Materials and Technique

Wood

Dimensions (inches)

Ht: 1.25" 15.125” 14.875”

Dimensions (metric)

Ht: 3.81cm W: 38.42cm D: 37.78cm

Condition

Excellent, fine patina demonstrating age and use

Reference Number

3562BLE

Shipping Box Size