Gifts

We have indicated several items as “Gifts” since that was their original intent when they were created. The Chinese often presented marriage gifts with symbols of fidelity, marital harmony and, most often, fertility and a wish for many male children. Other gift items are uniquely suited for specific purposes such as house warming items or objects that reflect specific interest or passions.

Showing 1–12 of 47 results

  • Sale!

    Ancient Lekanis Dish, Magna Graecia (3247BHK) $575

    Original price was: $595.00.Current price is: $505.75.
    H: 3.625”  Dia: 3.5″ | FREE SHIPPING within contiNental U.S.!

    This diminutive but very elegant piece is a lekanis, a lid-covered container for cosmetics.  Originating in Greece embraced by artisans from Apulia in Magna Graecia in Southern Italy who adapted this form in their Xenon wares in the 6th century B.C.E. This terracotta lidded bowl is covered with pale matte salmon decorations over a black glazed body highlighted with decorative meandering bands. Fathers in ancient times filled these bowls with small items of adornment and gave them to their daughters as a wedding gift, which would be a delightful tradition to uphold today.

     

    container for cosmetics in the 6th century BCE.and a matte pale orange-red or salmon decoration over a black glazed terracotta body fired from red clay. It was used as a special gift for a bride from fathers with small adornment items placed inside.

  • Sale!

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

    Original price was: $325.00.Current price is: $276.25.
    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.

  • Sale!

    Antique Carved Kitchen God and His Wife, China (16840BME)

    Original price was: $850.00.Current price is: $722.50.
    H: 7.5″ W: 2.875″ D: 2″ | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This pair is VA’s most unique and finely crafted Kitchen God couple. Wearing beautifully carved robes, clasping Hu tablets, they have  approachable features and subtly smiling lips. The painted character on the base of each is a wish for “happiness.” These exceptional consecrated and rare pieces are in excellent condition with a fine patina. Kitchen Gods radiate warmth, especially when placed near the stove and are unique house warming or wedding gifts and add positive chi and enhance feng-shui in any home.

  • Sale!

    Antique Carved Sweetmeat Confection Mold, China (3214A-BKE) $475

    Original price was: $475.00.Current price is: $403.75.
    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 Carving of Auspicious Fruit Offering, China (19304UAK) $225

    Original price was: $225.00.Current price is: $191.25.
    H: 4.75″  W: 3.675″  D: 3.675″

    | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!
    This offering plate with a stack of five propitious fruits was probably affixed to one of the bed posts for a couple as a wish for male children and longevity. The plate sits on a base draped with a stylized ritual cloth and embellished with carved leaves and holds a pomegranate on top to symbolize fertility and the four peaches below are symbols of longevity.

  • Sale!

    Antique Cast Iron Tea Kettle (Tetsubin) with Temple Shrine on Lid (1799JOK) $295

    Original price was: $295.00.Current price is: $250.75.
    H: 8.625”  W: 7.5”  D: 6.5” | FREE SHIPPING within Continental u.s.!

    Hand crafted cast iron Tetsubin teaware kettles like this were made for the Japanese tea-ceremony and are used only to boil water. With its two manufacturer’s seals and zen simplicity, large handle, rounded shape, pitted surface and rare ornamental temple-shaped knob, this Meiji kettle is a a beautiful, authentic and unique accessory.   Admired by tea aficionados for centuries Tetsubin’s iron content makes the taste of water boiled for tea richer, sweeter and more mellow, although we recommend this be for display use only. Great gift for a tea lover.

  • Sale!

    Antique Cast Iron Tear Kettle (Tetsubin) Lotus Knob, Japan (2007TOK)

    Original price was: $325.00.Current price is: $276.25.
    H: 8.625″  W: 7.5″  D: 6.5″  | FREE SHIPPING!

    Japanese cast iron Tetsubin tea kettles have been prized for their health benefits and zen simplicity since they were introduced 400 years ago. This elegant antique  kettle has a scalloped top, curved handle and contrasting textures and simple designs on its lid with a lotus shaped knob. This kettle would enhance any kitchen décor and be a wonderful gift for any tea lover.

  • Sale!

    Antique Ceramic Hill Tribe Pipe, Burma/Myanmar (3474A-WKE) $85

    Original price was: $85.00.Current price is: $72.25.
    H: 2”  W: 1.75”  D: 4” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    Antique and vintage ceramic tobacco pipes are part of a long cultural tradition of Burmese/Myanmar and Thai hill tribes. Mould made and adorned with intricate designs, a bamboo or metal stem was often inserted at the end through which smoke was drawn. This highly collectible antique item reflects hill-tribe skills creating decorative functional objects and would be a unique gift for any pipe smoker, but, like all antique items, we recommended it be used as a decorative item.

  • Sale!

    Antique Ceramic Wall Pocket Double Chopsticks Holder, China, Shiwan (19325A-GHK) $185

    Original price was: $185.00.Current price is: $157.25.
    H: 7.125″ W: 8.375″ D: 3.75″  |  FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    This Shiwan green chopsticks holder is divided into two parts with holes on top for hanging and small holes on the bottom for drainage. Chopsticks were often wedding gifts from mothers to daughters with many auspicious wishes: phrases for sons as soon as possible, upside down bats with coins and ribbon meaning “blessings in front of your eyes,”  and border clouds and thunder symbolizing life-giving rain and abundance.

  • Sale!

    Antique Clay Hill Tribe Ceramic Pipe, Burma/Myanmar (3474C-WKE) $105

    Original price was: $105.00.Current price is: $89.25.
    H: 1.875”  W: 1.75”  D: 4” | FREE SHIPPING!

    Antique and vintage ceramic tobacco pipes are part of a long cultural tradition of Burmese/Myanmar and Thai hill tribes. Mould made and adorned with intricate designs, a bamboo or metal stem was often inserted at the end through which smoke was drawn. This highly collectible antique item reflects hill-tribe skills creating decorative functional objects and would be a unique gift for any pipe smoker, but, like all antique items, we recommended it be used as a decorative item.

  • Sale!

    Antique Clay Hill Tribe Pipe, Burma/Myanmar (3474B-WKE) $85

    Original price was: $85.00.Current price is: $72.25.
    H: 2”  W: 1.75”  D: 4” | FREE SHIPPING!

    Antique and vintage ceramic tobacco pipes are part of a long cultural tradition of Burmese/Myanmar and Thai hill tribes. Mould made and adorned with intricate designs, a bamboo or metal stem was often inserted at the end through which smoke was drawn. This highly collectible antique item reflects hill-tribe skills creating decorative functional objects and would be a unique gift for any pipe smoker, but, like all antique items, we recommended it be used as a decorative item.

  • Sale!

    Antique Document Holder with Poem and Auspicious Symbols, China (19404XRK) $350

    Original price was: $350.00.Current price is: $297.50.
    Ht: 10.75” W: 7” D: 4.5” |FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U. S.

    This delicately carved and elaborate document holder was designed for a desk top or to be mounted on a wall held up by its back panel with sumptuously carved floral cutouts and graceful curvilinear embellishments. It was clearly intended as a wedding gift as it is embellished with a huge assortment of auspicious symbols for newly weds, with wishes for wealth, glory, harmony, unity, fertility, the birth of sons, longevity among others. The scalloped carrier section is covered with with black, red and gilt designs and poems by the very famous Song Dynasty poet Su Shi. This would be a wonderful, unique, and appropriate wedding gift to send the bride and groom off with the best possible wishes.

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