Ribbons (dai 带) are often displayed wrapped around objects and are referred to as fillets. They and impart importance to the power of the object they surround since they are perceived as rays or auras emanating from the object and symbolize miraculous powers. The Chinese character dai also means “to carry” which has the same pronunciation as (dai 代) which means “generations”. Thus, when a ribbon connects two or more auspicious objects, its meaning is “to carry the auspicious wish such as good luck for generations. When a it is attached to an official seal or medal (shou dai绶带), Shou (绶) has the same pronunciation as “longevity” (shou 寿) and means “longevity for generations”. Chinese always use red ribbons since red represents joy for marriages and other festive occasions. A long ribbon (shoudai) tied in a bow around a vase is a Chinese homophone symbolizing longevity (shou). Ribbons around the necks of porcelain cat teapots reinforce the imagery of the teapot as a wish for a long life.
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Graceful consecrated celestial attendant carrying offerings with ribbon winding around her with a modest and serene demeanor honoring the deity she attends.
Zhenwu (Perfected Warrior) one of most important and powerful Taoist deities, is revered for magical powers to suppress demonic forces. Forceful wood provincial image for personal devotion reflecting his iconography: on throne, bare feet resting on snake and tortoise, celestial scarf and maille armor.
Decorative every day Shiwan ware pieces are recognized for their fine craftsmanship, vivid expression, and colorful apple-green and drip glazes. Shiwan potters mixed waste materials with local and inexpensive clay – one of the earliest artistic forms of recycling. Shiwan chopsticks holders are unique kitchen accessories, especially as wedding gifts.
Chopsticks are ubiquitous in Chinese culture, and are often included in a bride’s dowry as a wish for a speedy arrival of many sons. This Shiwan ware green glazed wall pocket chopsticks holder has characters wishing for many sons and grandsons and an upside down bat holding a coin for “blessings in front of your eyes.”
Decorative utilitarian Shiwanware pieces are recognized for their fine modeling, vivid expression, and colorful apple-green and drip glazes. Chopsticks were commonly stored in wall pockets with a hole for mounting. Covered with auspicious symbols, they were often part of a bride’s dowry as “chopsticks” is a pun for “speedy arrival of sons.”
This earthenware brick tile bordered with a deep scalloped frame depicts a vase with a bouquet of propitious flowers: a chrysanthemum and a peony wrapped with an elegant ribbon. Tiles like this were made to decorate the large numbers of buildings created during the prosperous Song dynasty and to adorn tombs. This elegant brick is in good condition for its age with expected chips and cracks, some restoration of background and a re-glued frame break on each side. It has earth adherents from its burial in a tomb.
Each of this whimsical gold and red-burgundy lacquered pair of male fu lions sits erect on a high pedestal heads thrown back with flaring ears, bulging eyes, decorative stylized manes and a small bushy tail. Their spirituality is displayed by the pair silently emitting the blessed mantra “aum”: the open mouthed lion forming an “au,” and the other completing it with a closed mouth to form “mmm.” The workmanship on these pieces is masterful, although rustic and provincial, and they are rare with their Buddhist symbolism and because most pairs of fu lions pairs were lost during China’s modernization.
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