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.

  • Sale! Antique Document Holder with Poem and Auspicious Symbols, China #19404XRK

    Antique Document Holder with Poem and Auspicious Symbols, China #19404XRK

    Original price was: $350.00.Current price is: $295.00.
    H:  10.75″   W: 7″     D:  4.5″  |  CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL [email protected] FOR SHIPPING.

    The auspicious symbols on this charming document holder which are puns for “harmony and unity in marriage” indicate it was it was probably a wedding gift. And would serve that purpose admirably today as a decorative practical accessory and something you won’t find on a wedding registry.

  • 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, 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.

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  • Sale! Antique Kitchen God and His Wife, China (16850D)

    Antique Kitchen God and His Wife, China (16850D)

    Original price was: $695.00.Current price is: $525.00.
    H: 7.25 ”    W: 3 ”    D: 1.625 ”    |  FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    Finely carved Kitchen God and his wife, mirror images on backless chairs with multi-sided pedestals reflecting reverent and  responsibility to protect the home. Naturally darkened lacquer, soft patina. Male with consecration covering, female open with contents. Unique house warming/wedding gift.

  • Sale! Antique Kitchen God and his Wife, China (16850E)

    Antique Kitchen God and his Wife, China (16850E)

    Original price was: $695.00.Current price is: $525.00.
    H: 7.75 ”    W: 2.875  ”    D: 1.875 ”    |  FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    Husband and wife Kitchen Gods are near mirror images with similar layered gold officials’ robes, clasped hands covered in ritual cloth. Excellent condition, fine patinas. Consecration script remaining in wife’s cavity but not in husband’s.

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    Antique Kitchen God and Wife, China (16850H)

    $785.00
    H: 7.75″  W: 3.25″  D: 2.375″ | free shipping within Continental U.S.!

    Finely detailed and carved from dense wood, this Kitchen God and his Wife monitor the members of the home from their perch above the stove. On Chinese New Year Zao Shen reports to the Jade Emperor in Heaven and a positive report bringsblessings and good fortune, while and unfavorable one brings misfortune. Family members often smear honey on his mouth to sweeten the report.  Near mirror images they wear layered gold officials’ robes with decorative sashes and symbolically hold a hu tablet. They are in excellent condition and add positive chi and enhance feng shui. Kitchen Gods especially pairs are now rare and very collectible and make unique wedding and house gifts.

     

  • Sale! Antique Lacquer and Gilt Straits Chinese Shrine Cabinet, China (3986)

    Antique Lacquer and Gilt Straits Chinese Shrine Cabinet, China (3986)

    Original price was: $595.00.Current price is: $425.00.
    H: 16.375″ W: 13.625″ D: 5.75″ | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030 or [email protected]

    Extremely ornate black lacquer cabinet with intricately carved doors, and gilded openwork panels with opening to red lacquer, gilt fringe interior with backdrop with Chinese scenes. Display of status and piety, designed as dignified display for honoring ancestral spirits.

     

    Intricately carved black and heavily gilt cabinet is a fine example of a Straits Chinese furniture  Carved openwork panels with phoenixes and lotuses are symbolic wishes for harmony, blessings, rank, good fortune; outstretched wings wish for harmonious marriage, many sons and the inside decoration a wish for status and successful career. Although somewhat flamboyant, it is a unique accent piece and great gift for newly weds.

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  • Sale! Antique Lacquer Cabinet on Carved Stand with Interior Drawer, China (16445LME) $450

    Antique Lacquer Cabinet on Carved Stand with Interior Drawer, China (16445LME) $450

    Original price was: $450.00.Current price is: $325.00.
    H: 22 ”    W: 21.5 ”    D: .12.25 ”    |  FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This small elm cabinet is from Fujian province known highly decorative vernacular for the new wealthy merchant class. Vernacular furniture was often red lacquer with auspicious symbols. The left door has a magpie on plum tree branch and the right  a magpie with a chrysanthemum. The magpie is the bird of joy and happiness and the magpie and chrysanthemum mean “May the whole family be happy,” The a plum symbolizes longevity) and when they have 5 leaves are a wish for the Five Joys/Happinesses: health, wealth, longevity, a life of virtue and a peaceful death. These cabinets were perfect gifts for newlyweds as a desire for double happiness, a long and fruitful marriage with sons

     

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  • Sale! Antique Ladies Vanity Cabinet with Elaborate Carving #16442

    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.

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  • Sale! Antique Miniature Gilt Cabinet with Side Carving, China (19223)

    Antique Miniature Gilt Cabinet with Side Carving, China (19223)

    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

    Parents often gave small red and gold carved cabinets as wedding gifts as a wish for the young couple to have many sons.  The peony is a metaphor for female beauty and fertility, a willow represents spring – season of youth, new beginnings, optimism and fertility.

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  • Antique Porcelain Cat Teapot, China #16944B

    Antique Porcelain Cat Teapot, China #16944B

    $145.00
    Ht: 6.25”  W: 5.5” D: 3.25”  |  FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    The Chinese characters within a circled seal in the mold on the bottom indicate this teapot is an  antique. As the thin ribbon blue collar as wishes for long life, it is a perfect birthday gift. Recommended for decorative use only.

  • Sale! Antique Rare Wood Kitchen God and His Wife, China (19028)

    Antique Rare Wood Kitchen God and His Wife, China (19028)

    Original price was: $995.00.Current price is: $695.00.
    H: 10″  W: 7.75″  D:  8.25″    |   FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    Rare single image of Kitchen God and wife, indicating their close/lasting relationship as family’s protectors. Detailed elaborate officials’ robes, headgear.  Individually portrayed holding hu tablets like those held by high court officials or Taoist priests.

  • 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.

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