Auspicious Symbols

Chinese art is flush with auspicious images as wishes for blessings (fu), wealth, longevity, fertility and sons, achievement of high status, harmony and many others. These symbols are readily understood by all and are used to decorate all types of folk and religious art such as sculpture, painting, ceramics, textiles and furniture. In addition to the Chinese Eight Treasures, other popular auspicious images include Scholarly Objects: a book, brush, lute, ink stone ink cake or scrolled paper; Wealth and Prosperity Symbols: coins, gold or silver bars, paper money, clouds, crabs, dear, scepter; Rank and Success: peacock feathers, wine cup, peony; Harmony and Peace: flowers, teapot, vase; Long Life: Longevity gods, plum blossoms, bats, butterflies, crane, pine, scepter for power and wealth ….and many more.

There are many Hindu auspicious symbols including the conch shell (shankha), an auspicious symbol signifying the five elements: water, fire, air, earth and space or void. When blown, the conch produces the sacred sound (om), which embodies divine energy and the primal sound from which all creation evolved.

  • Sale! Antique Carved Box with Auspicious Symbols, China #11325B-GHL

    Antique Carved Box with Auspicious Symbols, China #11325B-GHL

    Original price was: $325.00.Current price is: $285.00.
    H: 6.375″ W: 10.75″ D: 7.125″ | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This charming carved and lacquered multi-use box opens from the top and has a side drawer with a metal pull. It is decorated with auspicious carved symbols for a good, healthy, prosperous and long life  Carved fu lion heads with flowing manes adorn the front and plum blossoms and a fan the front and frame.  Painted calligraphic phrases refer to a wish for many sons. It was likely a wedding gift to newlyweds and still for that or other purpose.

  • Sale! Antique Carving of Auspicious Fruit Offering, China (19304)

    Antique Carving of Auspicious Fruit Offering, China (19304)

    Original price was: $225.00.Current price is: $155.00.
    H: 4.75 ”     Dia: 3.675 ”    |  FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    This carved food offering was an auspicious bed ornament to bring the lucky couple prosperity, health, a long life and many sons as the pomegranate symbolizes fertility,  the peaches longevity.  Carved offerings were often wedding gifts.

  • Sale! Antique Ceramic Opium Pillow/Head Rest, China (3847)

    Antique Ceramic Opium Pillow/Head Rest, China (3847)

    Original price was: $115.00.Current price is: $105.00.
    H: 4″  W:  9.5″  D: 4.5 ” | FREE SHIPPING

    Multicolored ceramic opium pillow, hand-painted green and red florals, fruits and vases in relief, blue cobalt border. Top and bottom seals to approve for export as antique.

  • Sale! Antique Document Holder with Poem and Auspicious Symbols, China #19404XRK

    Antique Document Holder with Poem and Auspicious Symbols, China #19404XRK

    Original price was: $350.00.Current price is: $295.00.
    H:  10.75″   W: 7″     D:  4.5″  |  CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL [email protected] FOR SHIPPING.

    The auspicious symbols on this charming document holder which are puns for “harmony and unity in marriage” indicate it was it was probably a wedding gift. And would serve that purpose admirably today as a decorative practical accessory and something you won’t find on a wedding registry.

  • Sale! Antique Glazed Shiwan Opium Pillow, Shiwan, China (3849A)

    Antique Glazed Shiwan Opium Pillow, Shiwan, China (3849A)

    Original price was: $235.00.Current price is: $145.00.
    H: 7.25″ W: 5″ D: 5″ | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    5-sided Shiwan glazed stoneware pillow with slanted top, used for smoking opium. The cool shell cradled the users’ heads and necks and hollow inside stored valuables.  A candle placed inside emits a shadowy coin appealed to those in an opium state.

  • Sale! Antique Hamsa Heddle Pulley, Burma/Myanmar (11298A)

    Antique Hamsa Heddle Pulley, Burma/Myanmar (11298A)

    Original price was: $235.00.Current price is: $165.00.
    H: 10.5”  W: 3.25”  D: 2.375” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    Elegant antique heddle-pulley carved from a single piece of Burmese teak topped by a hamsa, a goose-like bird and sacred Buddhist symbol of wisdom. Auspicious symbolic animal images are believed protect the weaver, assure quality weaving, and pleases the gods and spirits. Finely weathered from time and use.

  • Sale! Antique Jewelry Box with Auspicious Symbols, China (16782)

    Antique Jewelry Box with Auspicious Symbols, China (16782)

    Original price was: $385.00.Current price is: $325.00.
    Ht: 8.5”  W: 15”  D: 9”  |  CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL [email protected] FOR SHIPPING COST

    Given the auspicious images on this finely crafted red and gilt jewelry box -a lotus and 5 bats surrounding a longevity roundel, it was probably a wedding gift for a fortunate couple as a wish for longevity, fertility, harmony and many and sons.

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  • Sale! Antique Lacquer and Gilt Straits Chinese Shrine Cabinet, China (3986)

    Antique Lacquer and Gilt Straits Chinese Shrine Cabinet, China (3986)

    Original price was: $595.00.Current price is: $425.00.
    H: 16.375″ W: 13.625″ D: 5.75″ | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030 or [email protected]

    Extremely ornate black lacquer cabinet with intricately carved doors, and gilded openwork panels with opening to red lacquer, gilt fringe interior with backdrop with Chinese scenes. Display of status and piety, designed as dignified display for honoring ancestral spirits.

     

    Intricately carved black and heavily gilt cabinet is a fine example of a Straits Chinese furniture  Carved openwork panels with phoenixes and lotuses are symbolic wishes for harmony, blessings, rank, good fortune; outstretched wings wish for harmonious marriage, many sons and the inside decoration a wish for status and successful career. Although somewhat flamboyant, it is a unique accent piece and great gift for newly weds.

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  • Sale! Antique Lacquer Cabinet on Carved Stand with Interior Drawer, China (16445)

    Antique Lacquer Cabinet on Carved Stand with Interior Drawer, China (16445)

    Original price was: $450.00.Current price is: $325.00.
    H: 22 ”    W: 21.5 ”    D: .12.25 ”    |  FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    Small Fujian elm cabinet made for the China’s new wealthy merchant class in 18-1900s . Red lacquer with auspicious symbols for the Five Happinesses: health, wealth, longevity, virtue and a peaceful death. Were often gifts for newlyweds as desire for double happiness and fruitful marriage with sons.

     

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  • Sale! Antique Ladies Vanity Cabinet with Elaborate Carving (16442)

    Antique Ladies Vanity Cabinet with Elaborate Carving (16442)

    Original price was: $695.00.Current price is: $495.00.
    Ht: 20.75” W: 19.125” D: 11” |CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL [email protected] FOR SHIPPING COST

    Fine ladies vanity cabinet covered with red lacquer and gold highlights. Parents’ gift to newlyweds with auspicious symbols for happiness, long life and having sons reflecting Confucian belief that producing sons to carry on the family name is essential to happiness.

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  • Sale! Antique Low Lacquered Wood Table, China (16005)

    Antique Low Lacquered Wood Table, China (16005)

    Original price was: $595.00.Current price is: $375.00.
    H: 5.625″ W: 27.875″ D: 9.75″ | CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL [email protected] FOR SHIPPING

    Charming antique low profile lacquered finished chest adds warmth to any setting. Drawers with carved auspicious symbols for the Five Happinesses include peonies, vines, butterflies, plum blossom and a Japanese lily. Inset panel with florals and decorative apron and brass butterfly handles.

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  • Sale! Antique Miniature Gilt Cabinet with Side Carving, China (19223)

    Antique Miniature Gilt Cabinet with Side Carving, China (19223)

    Original price was: $435.00.Current price is: $375.00.
    Ht: 15.25″   W: 11″   D: 4.875″  |  CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL [email protected] FOR SHIPPING

    Parents often gave small red and gold carved cabinets as wedding gifts as a wish for the young couple to have many sons.  The peony is a metaphor for female beauty and fertility, a willow represents spring – season of youth, new beginnings, optimism and fertility.

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