Five Blessings or Happinesses

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 21 results

  • Antique Attendant with Marriage Inscription, China (16260ZOK) SPECIAL PRICE

    $485.00

    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…

  • Antique Carved Box with Auspicious Symbols, China (11325B-GHL) SPECIAL PRICE

    $325.00
    H: 6.375″ W: 10.75″ D: 7.125″ | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This charming carved and lacquered multi-use box opens from the top and has a side drawer with a metal pull. It is decorated with auspicious carved symbols for a good, healthy, prosperous and long life  Carved fu lion heads with flowing manes adorn the front and plum blossoms and a fan the front and frame.  Painted calligraphic phrases refer to a wish for many sons. It was likely a wedding gift to newlyweds and still for that or other purpose.

  • Antique Carved Standing Ancestor Official, China (18017ESK) $425

    $425.00
    Ht: 8.25″  W: 3″  D: 2.125″ | FREE SHIPPING!

    Dressed in a red robe with a high neck collar, extremely wide sleeves extending below the knees and a belt around his waist, this ancestor figure portrayed as a civilian official standing on a rectangular base with hands together wearing a long civil official’s robe that extends to his shoes but has no rank badge indicated.

  • Sale!

    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.

    Add to cartLoading Done
  • Antique Civilian Official Ancestor Figure, China (16848BEM) $395

    $395.00
    H: 13.75″ W: 5.25″ D: 4″ | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This ancestor figure, carved in boxwood the preferred wood softwood during the Qing Dynasty, is portrayed in the characteristic pose of a Chinese civilian official, grasping his official’s belt with his right hand to demonstrate his important stature – which was really not so important for this gentleman, given his humble seating furniture and his modest attire. His right hand rests on the his knee as he sits erect on a thick low-back pedestal. Unlike many officials who are serious, this one is more approachable, with simple deeply carved smiling features, high arching brows and a black painted mustache and beard.

  • Sale!

    Antique Home Altar With Panel of Guanyin on Hǒu, China #19433

    Original price was: $585.00.Current price is: $435.00.
    H: 9” W: 18.5” D: 5.875” | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    As a wish for a prosperous and healthy family with many sons, this small table elegant probably was in a young couple’s bedroom to hold small personal statues and store precious items. Guanyin sits a hǒu holding lotuses in the right panel and the left has fertility symbols rats with melons.  It is perfect for creating a personal home altar and a unique wedding gift.

    Add to cartLoading Done
  • Sale!

    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, it was probably a wedding gift for a fortunate couple as a wish for fertility, harmony and many and sons. The doors have a carved lotus symbolizing beauty and purity and the top has 5 bats surrounding a longevity roundel. When depicted on a box, it means as “May you have a harmonious marriage with the Five Blessings” (longevity, health, wealth, virtue and a peaceful death) and signifies completeness, togetherness and harmony.

    Add to cartLoading Done
  • Sale!

    Antique Ladies Vanity Cabinet with Elaborate Carving #16442

    Original price was: $695.00.Current price is: $495.00.
    Ht: 20.75” W: 19.125” D: 11” |CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL [email protected] FOR SHIPPING COST

    This very fine ladies vanity cabinet is covered with red lacquer, the color of blessings (fu), highlighted with gold and deeply carved and painted decorations of auspicious symbols to bring happiness, good fortune, long life and many sons to the elite couple who may have received it as a wedding gift by parents in hopes of them successfully carrying on the family tradition.  This is a reflection of the Confucian belief having sons to carry on the family name is essential to real happiness.

    Add to cartLoading Done
  • Antique Low Lacquered Wood Table, China (16005LMK) SPECIAL PRICE

    $595.00
    H: 5.625″ W: 27.875″ D: 9.75″ | CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL [email protected] FOR SHIPPING COST

    The low profile and fine lacquered finish of this charming antique wood chest add warmth and a touch of antique fine craftsmanship to any setting. The two intricately carved drawers for storage lend it to a multitude of uses. Carved auspicious symbols to bring the Five Blessings or Happinesses include peonies and vines, butterflies, plum blossom and a Japanese lily. The sides have inset panel with florals and the bottom has a decorative apron with a beautiful fretwork vine design. Its warm patina extends to the detailed brass butterfly handles.

    Add to cartLoading Done
  • Sale!

    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 COST

    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.

    Add to cartLoading Done
  • Antique Official in Red Robes with a Hu Tablet, China (16851BOK)

    $875.00

    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…

  • Antique Pair of Double Happiness Oil Lamps, China (16915BAE) $295

    $295.00

    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….

    Add to cartLoading Done

End of content

End of content