Longevity

Shoulao (壽) is one of the most popular Chinese gods as he is the God of Longevity and his name is homophonous with the word for peaches, also a symbol of longevity. Longevity symbols are ubiquitous in Chinese art and everyday life, found within and outside dwellings, in paintings and prints, on textiles, clothing and jewelry among other items. Longevity was important to Confucians who believed wisdom comes with age and to Taoists who seek immortality. The most common symbols of longevity and the wish for a long life include butterflies, cats, coral, cranes, chrysanthemums, citron, deer, evergreens, fly whisk, lingzhi mushrooms, oxen, peaches, peonies, pine trees, rocks, roses, rabbits, storks, tigers and tortoises. The Taoist Queen Mother of the West and Amitabha Buddha are both associated with longevity. Lu Dongbin and his fly whisk, as well as the other seven Chinese Immortals and their personal identifying symbols are also longevity symbols.

Showing 1–12 of 35 results

  • Antique Attendant with Offering, China (16424A-BLE) SPECIAL PRICE

    $435.00
    H: 15.5″. W: 5.5″. D: 4.24″  | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    Attendants like this often accompanied Taoist figures on home altars, along with other deities and spiritual images. They frequently presented offerings to them which, when tied with ribbons, symbolized “ longevity for generations”. This 18-19th century carving may have accompanied a significant deity as the statue was covered in gilt and lacquer, some which has  naturally darkened from age and from years of incense, age and use.

  • Antique Blue and White Porcelain Miniature Ewer, China (4056B-DKM) $135

    $135.00
    H: 5.25″ W: 4.625″ D: 2.375″ | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This charming miniature ewer or small pitcher was made during the Tongzhi Period and probably used in a restaurant or home kitchen as a dispenser for soy sauce, oils or other liquids. With an elegantly curved spout and handle it is covered with chrysanthemums, plantain curved vertical leaves and bindweed vines. The lid has a lotus shaped bud for lifting, and the bottom has a Chinese antique export seal.

  • 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.

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    Antique Carving of Auspicious Fruit Offering, China #19304UAK

    Original price was: $225.00.Current price is: $155.00.
    H: 4.75 ”     Dia: 3.675 ”    |  FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This antique carving of a wood food offering with a lacquer coating was an auspicious ornament for a Chinese bed to bring the lucky couple prosperity, health and a happy life.  The pomegranate on top is a fertility and the four peaches below are longevity symbols.  The combination of the fruits is a wish for many sons and longevity and is perfect gift for newlyweds.

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

    $350.00

    This delicately carved and beautiful antique document holder was probably a wedding gift as it is decorated auspicious symbols for the newly married couple. The high openwork backing in a hill-like form has two lotuses in gold extending from its side and there is another on the bottom border. The words for lotus in Chinese have…

  • Antique Female Attendant with Offerings, China (19035BKE) SPECIAL PRICE

    $595.00

    Statues of attendants often appear as a pair looking inward and flanking a deity, unless they are very important ones and look straight ahead. They may carry a range of offerings. This antique Chinese woodcarving appears to be a Taoist image likely placed on a home altar along with deities, house gods and ancestors to…

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    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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    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 Low Lacquered Wood Table, China #16005LMK

    Original price was: $595.00.Current price is: $375.00.
    H: 5.625″ W: 27.875″ D: 9.75″ | CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL [email protected] FOR SHIPPING

    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.

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  • Antique Lu Dongbin, One of the Eight Chinese Immortals, China, (16009BKEM) SPECIAL PRICE

    $4,500.00

    The Eight Immortals are folk heroes with supernatural powers who achieved immortality and became Taoist deities. They were probably actual people who were granted extraordinary powers after death. Since the 13th century they have been viewed as a fun loving group living in heavenly mountains and hills enjoying good food, wine, gambling and the opposite…

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    Antique Pair of Attendants with Offerings, China #16242

    Original price was: $650.00.Current price is: $450.00.
    H: 7.75”  W: 3.5″  D: 3.5″ | FREE SHIPPING within continental U.S.!

    This unique pair of attendants was likely placed on a home altar flanking and looking slightly inward to a Buddhist or Taoist figure or deity. Standing on circular pedestals, they smile slightly with down cast eyes presenting boxed offerings. One box has ribbons symbolizing the  object’s  miraculous powers and a wish for longevity. Rare to find pairs of charming figurines, they look even better on custom frosted Acrylic stands.

  • Antique Porcelain Cat Teapot, China #16944B

    $145.00

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

    This charming antique white glazed porcelain figurine is a cat teapot with a raised paw with removable head for pouring liquid into the vessel and long sinuous tail as a handle to pour liquid from the opening at the end of the paw. The hand painted design is whimsical and colorful with a thin ribbon-like blue collar and a dangling ornamental bow with black accents defining the face, ears, head and paws.

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