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.

Showing 25–36 of 38 results

  • Sale!

    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.

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

    $115.00
    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)

    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 Wood Oil Lamp Double Fish Design, China (16902A-POK) $295

    $295.00

    This charming oil lamp with a lacquer coating is decorated with highly recognized auspicious symbols and was used to entice positive energy and luck to the fortunate owners, especially as it related to marriage and fertility to produce many sons. Fish symbolize harmony, marital happiness and are known for their happiness swimming in their environment…

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  • Antique Wood Oil Lamp with Double Fish, Lotus Design, China (16902B-POK) $295

    $295.00

    This charming antique oil lamp with a lacquer coating is decorated with highly recognized auspicious symbols and was used to entice positive energy and luck to the fortunate owners, especially as it related to marriage and fertility to produce many sons. Fish symbolize harmony, marital happiness and are known for their happiness swimming in their…

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  • 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.

  • Brick Tile of Couple Feasting and Figure Pointing to Flying Bat, China (3349BLE) SPECIAL PRICE

    $465.00

    This late Song dynasty earthenware ceramic brick tile portrays a couple sitting behind a banquet table with foods placed in front of them. On the right are two figures, one of whom points to a stylized image of a bat flying in the sky.

  • Han Dynasty Cocoon Jar with Cloud Designs, China (16015UHEM) $2100

    $2,100.00
    H: 11.75” W: 12.25” D: 7.5” | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    Cocoon jars were mingqi made for placement in tombs to comfort the deceased on their journey to and in their afterlife. An elixir of Immortality made from mulberry leaves or their ashes was placed inside for the deceased to drink and transmigrate into the world of the beyond. Ovoid in shape to resemble a silkworm cocoon, ajar rests on a small trumpet-shaped foot and has a narrow neck and a wide lip at its mouth. Painted after firing with vertical bands dividing it into panels, swirling cloud scrolls, and circular “eye” motifs at each end, this beautiful vessel is in excellent condition for its age with expected paint losses, scrapes, and dirt adhesions.

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  • SOLD Song Dynasty Tile of Vase with Flowers, China (3347BLE) $995 with Acrylic Stand

    $995.00
    H: 11”  W: 9.5”  D: 1.65” | FREE SHIPPING

    This earthenware brick tile bordered with a deep scalloped frame depicts a vase with a bouquet of propitious flowers: a chrysanthemum and a peony wrapped with an elegant ribbon. Tiles like this were made to decorate the large numbers of buildings created during the prosperous Song dynasty and to adorn tombs. This elegant brick is in good condition for its age with expected chips and cracks, some restoration of background and a re-glued frame break on each side. It has earth adherents from its burial in a tomb.

  • SOLD Porcelain Immortal, Chinese Republic, China (17042ZRK) $295

    $295.00
    H: 12” W: 4.5” D: 3” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    This elegant Chinese Republic Period porcelain is the Taoist immortal Han Xiangzi carrying his auspicious flute dressed in a beautiful blue robe with wide black borders, fine internal decorations and a decorative yellow floral undergarment. On the bottom is the kiln seal. As the patron saint of musicians and florists, it is a great gift for someone who enjoys these pursuits.

  • Song Dynasty Tile of Woman Ascending to Heaven, China (3348BLK) $445

    $445.00

    Chinese funerary tiles, as forms of mingqi  adorned tomb as early as the Han dynasty depicting everyday scenes, entertainment, mythical beasts, folklore,  history, literature and poetry. A Han stone tomb relief rubbing in Stories from China’s Past (p. 173) labeled “Ascending to Heaven in Deer Chariot” is reflective of this Song brick-tile. During the Song…

  • Sale!

    Song Dynnasty Tile of Immortal with Firecracker, China #5515

    Original price was: $495.00.Current price is: $325.00.
    H: 7” W: 5” D: 2.75” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    This Song earthenware tile depicts the legendary scholar, poet and alchemist Taoist deity Lu Dongbin, one of the Eight Immortals, who sought to discover the elixir of immortality and used charms still used in Chinese homes to prevent illness and ward off evil. He and his fly whisk are auspicious symbols of longevity and a wish for immortality.  Firecrackers, are traditionally used to celebrate the Chinese New Year, to bring in wishes for a safe and prosperous year, scare away evil and provide pleasure for the ancestors’ spirit.

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