The plum (mei 梅) signifies the first month of the lunar calendar. The blossoms symbolize courage, hope, purity and endurance, as it is the first to bloom during winter, a welcomed sign of the coming of spring renewal, and, therefore, a symbol of a hearty old age (longevity). Its 5 petals evokes the Five Blessings or Happinesses (wufu 五福) longevity(寿), wealth(富), health (康宁), virtue(修好德), and to die a natural death in old age(考 终命). The plum (mei) is also a homophone for eyebrow (mei) and bushy or long eyebrow symbolize longevity. This five petaled motif is common in Chinese dance and opera costumes, doll and puppet images as well as decorative accessories and furniture.
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Finely crafted antique boxes like this were often used to store jewelry and valuables in the top and money in the side drawer with a teardrop metal pull. Told it was a lucky money box, it was likely a gift to wish newlyweds a harmonious, successful and happy life. Auspicious carved images are symbols for…
This small elm cabinet is from Fujian province known for its unique style of highly decorative vernacular furniture. Large and small items were constructed with mortise-and-tenon joinery that made pieces stable, lengthened their life, and allowed woods to adapt to Asia’s variability in humidity and temperature. Pleasing a new wealthy merchant class, vernacular furniture was…
This charming antique low elmwood cabinet has two wide intricately carved storage drawers. for storage and was probably made from elmwood. Late Qing Dynasty artisans devoted as much effort creating small treasures like this as they invested in larger pieces. Handcrafted with mortise and tenon joints, these items were made without nails or glue making them more…
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….
This confection-mold was likely made in Fujian province famous for small vernacular furniture and decorative accessories made for the new wealthy merchant class of Chinese with no imperial court connections. These flamboyant pieces of Qing furniture and accessories were made to display wealth, often painted red, the color associated with fu, and highlighted with gold…
This doll is a Chinese opera dancer whose costume decorated with 5-petal plum blossom on the sash symbolizing longevity and, with its 5 petals, a wish for the Five Blessings or Happinesses. Her elaborate hair is a focal point along with the flower he holds. In many cultures, dolls were children’s entertainment and didactic tools…
This doll is a Chinese nuo opera dancer whose costume decorated with 5-petal plum blossoms symbolizing longevity and, with its 5 petals, a wish for the Five Blessings or Happinesses. In many cultures, dolls were children’s entertainment and didactic tools to teach beliefs, philosophy, lore, and history specific to each culture. In China dolls were…
This vintage wood and cloth doll representing male attendants from China carries a peach, among the most popular Chinese auspicious symbols representing longevity. He is presented as a Chinese- opera figure with his costume decorated with 5-petal plum blossoms also symbolizing longevity and its 5 petals evoking a wish for the Five-Blessings-or-Happinesses. In many cultures,…
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