Plum

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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    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.

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

    Original price was: $450.00.Current price is: $382.50.
    H: 22″  W: 21.5″  D: 12.25″ | FOR SHIPPING INFORMATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030

    This elm storage cabinet has lacquered and painted door panels with auspicious paintings of birds, foliage, and florals. One door panel has a magpie on a plum tree and the other has a tree with a chrysanthemum below –  together they are wishes for double happiness, the birth of sons, and longevity.

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    Antique Low Lacquered Wood Table, China (16005LMK) SPECIAL PRICE

    Original price was: $595.00.Current price is: $505.75.
    H: 5.625″ W: 27.875″ D: 9.75″ | CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL [email protected] FOR SHIPPING COST

    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 Pair of Double Happiness Oil Lamps, China (16915BAE) $295

    Original price was: $295.00.Current price is: $250.75.
    H: 9.5″ W: 5.25″ D” 3.5″ | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    Each of the antique carved wood oil lamps of this pair is filled with auspicious symbols to bring health, wealth and happiness to its owner – both in the past and in the present. Their vertical shafts are composed of stylized double happiness characters mounted on a rounded stand on four feet. Painted in gold and red for good luck, their articulated decorative rectangular tops are covered with carved lozenge designs and five-leaf plum blossoms on each side.

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    Antique Two Sided Sweetmeat Confection-Mold, China (3562BLE) $425

    Original price was: $425.00.Current price is: $361.25.
    H: 15.125″  W: 14.875  D: 1.25″

    This beautiful intricately hand carved, decorated and red lacquered confection-mold with carved indentations on both sides was probably an wedding gift for a wealthy family filled with auspicious symbols –  5-petal plum blossoms with vines and seeds are wishes for good fortune, prosperity, long life and many sons.  IT would make a unique wedding gift for a lucky couple.

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    Vintage Female Doll in Ceremonial Dress, China (1301C-EAO) $195

    Original price was: $195.00.Current price is: $165.75.
    Ht: 8.75″  W: 4″  D: 3.125″ | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    Originally mounted on the wood stick now inserted into an acrylic stand, this vintage elegantly dressed female doll is a dancer in ceremonial dress holding her elongated finely defined hands in front of her chest grasping a flower. Her wood head is beautifully painted and her black hair is intricately coiffed in a bun, a ponytail down her back, and with two upstanding ovals decorated with sequins, cloth, and plastic florals. She wears a long beige flowing dress with a contrasting red jacket, belt and sash that hangs down to the base inset with five pedal sequin flowers symbolizing a plum blossom and a wish for the Five Blessings and longevity.

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    Vintage Female Doll in Ceremonial Dress, Acrylic Stand, China (1301D-EAO) $195

    Original price was: $195.00.Current price is: $165.75.
    H: 10.5″  W: 3.5″  D:  3.125″ | FREE SHIPPING

    Originally mounted on the wood stick now inserted into its acrylic stand, this vintage, stately, elegantly dressed female folk-art doll is an opera dancer in ceremonial dress holding her elongated finely defined hands in front of her chest. Her wood head is beautifully painted and her black hair is intricately coiffed in a bun and ponytail down her back and adorned with two upward standing ovals decorated with sequins, cloth and plastic florals. She wears a long flowing beige dress with a contrasting yellow jacket, belt and sash hanging down to the base with five pedaled green flower plum blossoms, inset sequins, highlighted and outlined with silver thread and bright red shoes.

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    Vintage Male Doll Holding a Peach, China (1301A-EAO)

    Original price was: $195.00.Current price is: $165.75.
    H: 9.25″ W: 3.125″ D: 3″ | Free SHipping within continental u.s.!

    Originally mounted on the wood stick between his legs and now inserted to its acrylic stand, this vintage male doll is an attendant offering a huge peach. His large oval head is almost bald and his black hair remains only in a small patches on the sides of his head. He wears a typical colorful folk-art Chinese dance costume: bright red shoes, yellow pants, a greenish-blue coat with florals, a high sequined yellow belt,  and a wide blue sash outlined with silver and gold thread and colored 5-petal silver sequin plum blossoms hanging down to the base evoking a wish for the Five Blessings or Happinesses. It is in very good condition with expected wear and minor paint losses and charming spotting on the face.

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