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 Miniature Gilt Cabinet with Side Carving, China #19223BAK

    Antique Miniature Gilt Cabinet with Side Carving, China #19223BAK

    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

    Small red and gold decorated and carved cabinets like this were wedding gifts, often by parents, as a wish for the young couple to be fertile and have many sons.  Auspicious symbols here include a peony a metaphor for female beauty and fertility and a willow, like the peony, representing spring – the season of youth, new beginnings, optimism and fertility.

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  • Sale! Antique Pair of Attendants with Offerings, China (16242)

    Antique Pair of Attendants with Offerings, China (16242)

    Original price was: $650.00.Current price is: $395.00.
    H: 7.75”  W: 3.5″  D: 3.5″ | FREE SHIPPING within continental U.S.

    Rare and charming carved attendant pair to flank deities on circular pedestals presenting boxed offerings with ribbons as wish for longevity.

  • Sale! Antique Peacock Heddle Pulley, Burma/Myanmar (11297A)

    Antique Peacock Heddle Pulley, Burma/Myanmar (11297A)

    Original price was: $245.00.Current price is: $150.00.
    H: 13”  W: 3.75”  D: 2.625” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    This Burmese teak heddle pulley is topped by a graceful peacock. The peacock symbolizes wholeness, combining all colors with its spread tail and the fleeting nature of all sentient beings. Drawing on old animistic beliefs,  old folk art Burmese heddles are decorated with carvings of mythical or auspicious animals providing the weaver protection and assuring good quality weaving. Mounted on wood base.

  • Sale! Antique Peacock Heddle Pulley, Burma/Myanmar (11297B)

    Antique Peacock Heddle Pulley, Burma/Myanmar (11297B)

    Original price was: $245.00.Current price is: $150.00.
    H: 14″ W: 2.675” D: 3.5” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This elegant heddle pulley carved from a single piece of Burmese teak is topped by a peacock, which in Buddhism represents the short-lived nature of all things. Borrowing from ancient animistic traditions, it was believed that auspicious symbolic animal images protected the weaver, assured quality weaving, and pleased the gods and spirits. This antique folk piece  is wonderfully weathered from time and use.

  • Sale! Antique Shiwan Offering Bowl, Peaches and Lotuses, Shiwan, China  (19330)

    Antique Shiwan Offering Bowl, Peaches and Lotuses, Shiwan, China (19330)

    Original price was: $450.00.Current price is: $295.00.
    Ht: 5.5”  Dia: 6” |  FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    Shiwan stoneware peaches and lotuses on footed bowl auspicious symbols associated with springtime, fertility, long healthy life for many generations and therefore are propitious gifts for birthdays, especially for the elderly.

  • Sale! Antique Shiwan Stoneware Fruit Offering, China (19330)

    Antique Shiwan Stoneware Fruit Offering, China (19330)

    Original price was: $375.00.Current price is: $295.00.
    H: 8.75″  DIA: 6.75 ” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    Shiwan stoneware glazed sculptures of fruit symbolizing life and new beginnings to place on temple or home altar. They   augment plates of fresh stacked fresh fruit to honor ancestors. These pears symbolize long life.

  • Antique Stoneware Garden Stool, Coin/Taotie Designs, China   (16777B-VCEM) $1275

    Antique Stoneware Garden Stool, Coin/Taotie Designs, China (16777B-VCEM) $1275

    $1,275.00

    Most antique Chinese outdoor garden stools were made in a drum or barrel shape using common ceramic designs like decorative fretwork, low relief decoration, simple pierced schemes, a variety of underglaze painted images, and calligraphyand fired in kilns. The upper border of the body of this beautiful stoneware garden stool is covered with four color…

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  • Antique Stoneware Garden Stool, Coin/Taotie Designs, China (16777A-VCEM) $1275

    Antique Stoneware Garden Stool, Coin/Taotie Designs, China (16777A-VCEM) $1275

    $1,275.00

    Most antique Chinese outdoor garden stools were made in a drum or barrel shape using common ceramic designs like decorative fretwork, low relief decoration, simple pierced schemes, a variety of underglaze painted images, calligraphy and more. The upper border of the body of this beautiful stoneware garden stool is covered with four color bands that…

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  • Sale! Antique Stoneware Lotus and Frog Wall Pocket, Shiwan, China #19302J

    Antique Stoneware Lotus and Frog Wall Pocket, Shiwan, China #19302J

    Original price was: $285.00.Current price is: $185.00.
    H: 8.25” W: 6.75” D: 3.5” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    Wall pockets remain a very common decorative element in Asian homes. In China, they are used to hold chopsticks and flowers to bring good fortune to a space where the family gathers. This Shiwan stoneware pocket has 2 very auspicious symbols: a frog and a lotus that symbolize nurturing energy and transformation. With a hole in the back for hanging on a wall, it is great addition to enhance a kitchen’s coziness and feng shui and a wonderful wedding gift.

  • Sale! Antique Stoneware Wall Pocket Chopsticks Holder, China, Shiwan China #16966A

    Antique Stoneware Wall Pocket Chopsticks Holder, China, Shiwan China #16966A

    Original price was: $115.00.Current price is: $98.00.
    H: 7.375″ W: 5.125″ D: 2.5″ | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    Decorative utilitarian Shiwan ware pieces are recognized for their fine modeling, vivid expression, and colorful apple-green and drip glazes.  Chopsticks were commonly stored in wall pockets with a hole for mounting. Covered with auspicious symbols, they were often part of a bride’s dowry as “chopsticks” is a pun for “speedy arrival of sons.” It can hold utensils, dried flowers, and other objects and is a unique wedding gift.

  • Sale! Antique Teak Hamsa Heddle Pulley, Stand, Burma/Myanmar (11298B)

    Antique Teak Hamsa Heddle Pulley, Stand, Burma/Myanmar (11298B)

    Original price was: $265.00.Current price is: $165.00.
    Ht: 10.625″ W: 3.375″  D: 2.5″|FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S. !

    This elegant antique heddle-pulley carved from a single piece of Burmese teak is topped by a hamsa, a goose-like bird  and a sacred Buddhist symbol of wisdom. Auspicious symbolic animal images are believed protect the weaver, assure quality weaving, and pleases the gods and spirits. It is wonderfully weathered from time and use with minor losses with a fine patina. Mounted on a black wood base, this heddle pulley pairs well with item number 11298A.

  • Antique/Vintage Porcelain Taoist Immortal Lu Dongbin, Chinese Republic (17034GRK) $295

    Antique/Vintage Porcelain Taoist Immortal Lu Dongbin, Chinese Republic (17034GRK) $295

    $295.00
    Ht: 9.75” W: 3.5” D: 3.5” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This colorful Chinese Republic porcelain is the most popular of the Eight Immortals Lu Dongbin, who symbolizes immortality and long life. Dressed as a scholar, his beard is pushed to the side as he is in motion riding waves to show his magical powers. He holds a fly whisk which, along with the sword he often carries, are personal auspicious symbols. The most colorful of the immortals, he is worshipped by for his medical prowess and by scholars in homes and temples.

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