Antique Pair of Double Happiness Oil Lamps, China (16915BAE) $295

Description

The pair of antique oil lamps was clearly meant to bring good luck and happiness to its owners. Painted with gold and red, both colors fu or good fortune, they are decorated on  top with a double lozenge, a diamond shaped symbol often depicted as two interlocked diamonds that represent the form of an ancient musical instrument. It is considered a lucky object that is a homophone for victory (sheng), a protective sign casting out demons.  Meaning “many treasures” and a common reference to the Eight Treasures (babao) and since ba, (eight) rhymes with fa (to expand), the double lozenge is a visual pun “to expand in wealth” which explains why the number 8 is a Chinese lucky number. The five leaves are plum blossoms, symbols of perseverance and purity, and the Five Blessings or Happinesses – wealth, health, longevity, a peaceful death and the love of virtue, common Taoist and Popular Religion references. This folk-art oil lamp was used with a wick hanging over the side, so some of top and part of its side rail has been burned away. Otherwise, this antique-Chinese wood-carving pair is in very good condition with surface losses, minor pitting all expected from age and use.