The Chinese word fu translates as ‘blessing” or “happiness” and is everything auspicious. The Five Blessings or Happinesses (wufu) is the Chinese ideal life that includes longevity (寿), wealth (富), health (康宁), a love of virtue (修好德), and a peaceful death in old age (考 终命). Although marital happiness and producing a male to carry on the family name are also considered important blessings, they are not part of fu. The five (wu) wishes for blessings (fu) may also be represented by five bats (wufu) that is a Chinese homophone with fu as are plum blossoms as they have five petals seen as a symbol of the Five Blessings. Five bats represent good luck and are also a symbol of the Five Blessings or Happinesses.
Showing 1–12 of 23 results
This sweet diminutive antique-Chinese-wood-carving of an enlightened Buddhist attendant on a double lotus base that was commissioned by the proud father to celebrate and bless a marriage as indicated by the inscription on the rear 陈门李氏双全 that indicates that it belonged to the Lee family. Although its meaning is not entirely clear, it appears to…
Finely crafted antique boxes like this were often used to store jewelry and valuables in the top and money in the side drawer with a teardrop metal pull. Told it was a lucky money box, it was likely a gift to wish newlyweds a harmonious, successful and happy life. Auspicious carved images are symbols for…
Ancestor-figures portrayed as Chinese officials were placed on a home altar with other house gods and Buddhist or Popular Religion images to bring “fu” to the household. During the Qing dynasty, designation as an official was so significant families sought to emphasize this achievement in their family ancestral figures. They normally have serious expressions and…
This lacquered confection-mold was likely made in Fujian province where small vernacular furniture, decorative accessories and functional utilitarian items were made for the new wealthy merchant class of nouveau riche dissociating themselves from the imperial court about 1850-1920. Qing furniture and accessories were more flamboyant than Ming ones and often decorated with gold leaf, ornate pierced…
Honoring one’s ancestors through pictorial and sculptural images, especially a wood carving reflected the Confucian virtue of filial piety, although carved ancestral images were favored as the vehicle for a more intimate and continual communication. Ancestor figures were placed on a home altar for family members to venerate with daily offerings of joss (incense), fruit…
Chinese artisans devoted as much time and effort to create small accessories like home altar tables as they do with larger pieces. This home altar table is handcrafted with mortise-and-tenon joints, using no nails or glue which made it more stable and longer lasting. The surface blend multiple layers of different colors of blacks and reds…
The well-crafted lacquer covered jewelry box is a fine Chinese vernacular furniture and accessories example from the late Qing Dynasty in the th – 19th century for China’s emerging merchant class who rejected strict formal Ming design. This newly emerged style was made from softer woods such as elm, often brightly colored in red lacquer…
This elaborate 19th century elmwood vanity cabinet is an example of Chinese vernacular furniture catering to the newly prosperous Chinese merchant class whose colorful tastes countered those of conservative scholars and the literati imperial class. Covered with red lacquer, the color of blessings (fu), it has deeply carved and painted decorations highlighted with gold with…
This charming antique low elmwood cabinet has two wide intricately carved storage drawers. for storage and was probably made from elmwood. Late Qing Dynasty artisans devoted as much effort creating small treasures like this as they invested in larger pieces. Handcrafted with mortise and tenon joints, these items were made without nails or glue making them more…
Ancestor-figures portrayed as Chinese-officials were placed on a home altar with other house gods and religious images to bring fu to the household. During the Qing dynasty, designation as an Official was so significant families sought to emphasize this achievement in family ancestral figures. As traditional, this carve official has a serious expression, sits on…
The pair of antique oil lamps was clearly meant to bring good luck and happiness to its owners. Painted with gold and red, both colors fu, good fortune, they are decorated on top with a double lozenge, a diamond shaped symbol often depicted as two interlocked diamonds that represent the form of an ancient musical instrument….
Fruit plates have been used as offerings in all Chinese religions to communicate with and venerate ancestors and deities in temples or home altars, bring reciprocal blessings to the bearers, strengthen family ties and demonstrate filial piety. Offerings of fruit, vegetables, sweets, tea and flowers and lighting candles and incense were ceremonially presented on home…
End of content
End of content