Antique Two Sided Sweetmeat Confection-Mold, China #3562

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 and the auspicious blessings of fu, this 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.