Bats

A bat (fu 蝠) is a homphone and a visual pun for fu (fu 福) as “good fortune” or “happiness” as both words have a similar pronunciations. An upside-down bat means “to have arrived” as the character (dao 倒) for “upside-down” and the character (dao 到) for bat are also homophones So, a bat flying upside down means “happiness has arrived.” The bat is one of the most popular rebuses, symbolizes “blessings” or “riches” and five bats together symbolize the five most auspicious wishes (the 5 Blessings) one can wish for in life: health, prosperity, long life, a natural death and the love of virtue. Red bats mean “widespread good fortune” and bats with a swastika mean “ten thousand-fold wishes for good fortune and happiness.”

  • Sale! Antique Carved Sweetmeat Confection Mold, China #3214A

    Antique Carved Sweetmeat Confection Mold, China #3214A

    Original price was: $475.00.Current price is: $325.00.
    H: 5.625″ W: 27.875″ D: 9.75″ | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL [email protected]

    This exceptionally crafted and beautiful footed confection mould was most probably a marriage gift from a wealthy family to the newlyweds as seen its symbolisms.  It is elaborated and ornately decorated in vibrant reds and gilt with auspicious symbols for fidelity, fertility and happiness with lotuses and pods filled with seeds, bats, paired fish and intertwined vines  representing a life pair, having sons, and other marriage wishes.

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  • 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 Shiwan Ceramic  Double Chopsticks Holder, China, (19325A)

    Antique Shiwan Ceramic Double Chopsticks Holder, China, (19325A)

    Original price was: $185.00.Current price is: $135.00.
    H: 7.125″ W: 8.375″ D: 3.75″  |  FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    Shiwan 2 part chopsticks holder with top holes for hanging and bottom ones for drainage. Chopsticks were wedding gifts from mothers to daughters with auspicious wishes: sons as soon as possible,  blessing for prosperity, happiness and fertility, life-giving rain and abundance.

  • Sale! Antique Shiwan Ware Wall Pocket Chopsticks Holder, China (16966A)

    Antique Shiwan Ware Wall Pocket Chopsticks Holder, China (16966A)

    Original price was: $115.00.Current price is: $95.00.
    H: 7.375″ W: 5.125″ D: 2.5″ | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    Chopsticks are ubiquitous in Chinese culture, and are often included in a bride’s dowry as a wish for a speedy arrival of many sons. This Shiwan ware green glazed wall pocket chopsticks holder has characters wishing for many sons and grandsons and an upside down bat holding a coin  for “blessings in front of your eyes.”

    Decorative utilitarian Shiwanware 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.”

  • Sale! Vintage Small Rug with 4 Bats, China (3373)

    Vintage Small Rug with 4 Bats, China (3373)

    Original price was: $375.00.Current price is: $315.00.
    H: 26″ W:  26″ |  FREE SHIPPING IN CONTINENTAL US

    Made from wool and natural dyes this small vibrant vintage carpet square can be used for meditation, an accent piece or hung on a wall. The center has 4 stylized bats, the ultimate symbol of good luck, blessings, happiness and riches.

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