Coins symbolize wealth and ancient ones are said to ward off evil. Round coins (huan fa) or “Chinese cash,” are the most highly used and lowest Chinese monetary denomination and symbols of prosperity and wealth. The round cash is the shape of heaven having a square opening or “eye” in the center that reflects the ancient Chinese belief that the earth is square. Known as “eye coins” (yanqian), a pun for “before your eyes,” it means wealth and prosperity are before you or on the way. A double intertwined coin design is one of the Chinese Eight Treasures (babao) and a popular and auspicious ornament. Since the the word for “eight” ba rhymes with fa meaning “to expand” this double word association is a wish “to expand in wealth.
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This stoneware glazed garden stool was used by a wealthy family reflected in its complex designs, auspicious symbols and its use of so much cobalt blue, a highly prized and expensive mineral paint color normally used sparingly. The pierced side to side circles running through the inside from side to side and the pierced design…
For centuries Chinese believed ceramic pillows increased the health, vitality and comfort of the body and soothe the spirit. Their surfaces provided coolness during hot weather and were preferred over soft pillows which were believed to rob the body’s vitality and energy. Made with a variety of glazes and designs, it was believed a pillow…
Chinese wealth gods are ubiquitous and often appear and are venerated at home altasr, temples, and business establishments. Yang writes(p. 76) worship of wealth gods was one of the most common cult practices in China among all strata of society from the poor to the wealthy but especially by the merchant class. This resulted from…
Decorative every day Shiwan ware pieces are recognized for their fine craftsmanship, vivid expression, and colorful apple-green and drip glazes. Shiwan potters mixed waste materials with local and inexpensive clay – one of the earliest artistic forms of recycling. Shiwan chopsticks holders are unique kitchen accessories, especially as wedding gifts.
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…
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…
Chopsticks holders were symbols for fertility and traditionally part of a dowry in the form of wall-pockets as the word for chopsticks (kuizi) is a Chinese pun for ‘speedy arrival of sons’. The front has the phrase baizi qiansun (“a hundred sons and a thousand grandsons), an upside-down bat (fu) holding a coin surrounded by…
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.
Although this fine necklace is contemporary-jewelry, we consider it part of the VA Barry Brinker Vintage Collection with pieces made in the 1990s when his necklaces and other creations combined 950 silver with antiquities or antiques, unique artifacts, gemstones, rare natural pearls and other treasures acquired during his travels. With his unique training in architecture,…
This fine piece of contemporary jewelry is part of the VA Barry Brinker Vintage Collection acquired in the 1990s. All pieces in this collection are hand-made, one-of-a-kind and personally designed by the well-known jewelry designer who blended 950 silver with objects such as antiquities or antiques, artifacts, gemstones, coins and other treasures acquired during his…
This fine piece of contemporary-jewelry is part of the VA Barry-Brinker-Vintage-Collection acquired in the 1990s. All pieces in this collection including necklaces are hand-made, one-of-a-kind and personally designed by the popular and well-known jewelry designer who blended 950 silver with objects such as antiquities or antiques, unique artifacts, gemstones, natural pearls, coins and other treasures…
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