Antique/Vintage Sweetmeats Confection-Mold, China (19434DRK) $425

$425.00

H: 16.5″ W: 10.5″ D: 2.25″ CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL VANISHINGARTS213@GMAIL.COM FOR SHIPPING QUOTE

This finely detailed hardwood mold was used to make sweetmeats confections, perhaps mooncakes for the Chinese Autumn Moon Festival. It is covered with deeply carved propitious symbols for marital harmony, sons and successful endeavors:  a four clawed dragon for fertility, two ducks symbolizing marital bliss and harmony, one atop a carp for conjugal bliss and achieving noble rank and a boat with a sail for making all this easy sailing. This would be a great accessory or gift (especially for weddings) to spice up any kitchen.

Description

This antique hard wood mold was hung it in a kitchen, the center of activity of the Chinese home. Virtually all homes had a confection-mold to prepare sweetmeats made by placing pastry dough with various fillings in the mold and turning it over on a sheet to be baked. Many were used to make mooncakes for the Autumn Moon Festival but given the center’s large size (8”), it might have been a general mold rather than for mooncakes. This folk-art mold with a protective lacquer coating embodies the Chinese belief that placing auspicious objects on functional-and-utilitarian objects fill the home with fu, the Five Blessings or Happinesses: health, wealth, longevity, a virtuous life and a peaceful death. This mold is covered with propitious symbols: Dragons (lung) are mythical animals symbolizing prosperity and fertility; fish like this carp signifies abundance and a pair of fish symbolizes fertility, conjugal bliss and harmony while a pair of ducks symbolize conjugal fidelity. The combination of a duck atop the carp is a wish for passing civil exams and achieving noble rank that assures one’s success in life, and the boat with a sail is wish for these endeavors to be “easy sailing.” With its references to marital happiness, bearing sons and embarking on and succeeding in new endeavors, this mold was probably a wedding gift to set a new couple in the right direction. Kitchen-accessories like this make unique gifts. It is in excellent condition with a hole on the top with a string for hanging.

Additional information

Place of Origin

China

Period

Antique/Vintage (1910-1980)

Date

Early 20th Century

Materials and Technique

Wood

Dimensions (inches)

Ht: 16.5” W: 10.5” D: 2.25”

Dimensions (metric)

Ht: 41.9cm W: 26.67cm D: 5.72cm

Weight

5 lbs 14oz

Condition

Excellent, fine patina demonstrating age and use

Item Number

19434DRK

Shipping Box Size