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 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 16850D-BME

    Antique Kitchen God and His Wife 16850D-BME

    Original price was: $695.00.Current price is: $450.00.
    H: 7.25 ”    W: 3 ”    D: 1.625 ”    |  FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This fine pair of the Kitchen God and his wife are mirror-images of each other seated on backless chairs with multi-sided pedestals and reflect the reverence and solemnity of their responsibility to live above the stove and protect the home. The original lacquer has darkened naturally over time and from exposure to candle and incense smoke leaving a soft patina. The cavity on the male has its original covering while the one on the female is missing, exposing contents inside – a  string tied around the script placed by a monk when it was consecrated. Kitchen Gods radiate warmth, especially when placed near the  stove and make unique house warming or wedding gifts and add positive chi to any household.

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    Antique Kitchen God and His Wife, China (16850H-BME) SPECIAL PRICE

    $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.

     

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    Antique Kitchen God and his Wife, China #16850E-BME

    Original price was: $695.00.Current price is: $475.00.
    H: 7.75 ”    W: 2.875  ”    D: 1.875 ”    |  FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This husband and wife Kitchen Gods are near mirror images with similar layered gold officials’ robes clasped hands covered in ritual cloth. They portray house gods whose future of families are in their hands. They are in excellent condition with fine patinas and both have been consecrated with the consecration script remaining in the wife’s cavity but not in the male’s cavity.

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

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

    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]

    This intricately carved black and heavily gilt antique cabinet is a fine example of a Straits Chinese furniture made in Guangdong for the Southeast Asia market.  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 flamboyant for todays taste, it is a unique accent piece and 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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  • Antique Lakshmi Oil Lamp, India (9508D-PBE) SPECIAL PRICE

    Antique Lakshmi Oil Lamp, India (9508D-PBE) SPECIAL PRICE

    $245.00
    H: 5″  W: 3.25″  D:3.875″  | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This brass oil lamp diya is decorated with an image on front and back of Lakshmi seated on a lotus, full-breasted and broad hipped, beneficently smiling and being lustrated (showered by water) by elephants, symbolizing rain clouds bringing water and life to the land and that unwavering effort to adhere to spiritual teachings and governed by wisdom and purity leads to both material and spiritual prosperity.

  • 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 Shiwan Offering Bowl, Peaches and Lotuses, Shiwan, China  (19330)

    Antique Shiwan Offering Bowl, Peaches and Lotuses, Shiwan, China (19330)

    Original price was: $450.00.Current price is: $295.00.
    Ht: 5.5”  Dia: 6” |  FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    Shiwan stoneware peaches and lotuses on footed bowl auspicious symbols associated with springtime, fertility, long healthy life for many generations and therefore are propitious gifts for birthdays, especially for the elderly.

  • Sale! Antique Stoneware Lotus and Frog Wall Pocket, Shiwan, China #19302J

    Antique Stoneware Lotus and Frog Wall Pocket, Shiwan, China #19302J

    Original price was: $285.00.Current price is: $185.00.
    H: 8.25” W: 6.75” D: 3.5” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    Wall pockets remain a very common decorative element in Asian homes. In China, they are used to hold chopsticks and flowers to bring good fortune to a space where the family gathers. This Shiwan stoneware pocket has 2 very auspicious symbols: a frog and a lotus that symbolize nurturing energy and transformation. With a hole in the back for hanging on a wall, it is great addition to enhance a kitchen’s coziness and feng shui and a wonderful wedding gift.

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