Ribbons

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.

Showing 1–12 of 21 results

  • Sale!

    Antique Attendant with Celestial Scarf, China (16726HKE) $2450

    Original price was: $2,450.00.Current price is: $2,082.50.
    H: 25” W: 7.5” D: 6” | FOR SHIPPING QUOTATION CONTACT US AT 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL US AT [email protected]

    This lovely carving of a beautiful young woman represents an attendant that would have been housed in a wealthy home or a community shrine to accompany an enlightened Buddhist or Taoist figure at whom she modestly gazes. Her hands, covered by a draped ritual cloth, extend to hold offerings and the swirling ribbon implies her power, weightlessness or being in the heavens. This truly elegant and forceful statue has winding ribbons reflecting the auspicious phrase  “May longevity bring blessings.” Its lustrous patina adds to its depth, softness and grace which enhance the energy in any space it occupies. 

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

    Original price was: $435.00.Current price is: $369.75.
    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.

  • Sale!

    Antique Ceramic Wall Pocket Double Chopsticks Holder, China, Shiwan (19325A-GHK) $185

    Original price was: $185.00.Current price is: $157.25.
    H: 7.125″ W: 8.375″ D: 3.75″  |  FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    This Shiwan green chopsticks holder is divided into two parts with holes on top for hanging and small holes on the bottom for drainage. Chopsticks were often wedding gifts from mothers to daughters with many auspicious wishes: phrases for sons as soon as possible, upside down bats with coins and ribbon meaning “blessings in front of your eyes,”  and border clouds and thunder symbolizing life-giving rain and abundance.

  • Sale!

    Antique Lacquer and Gilt Pair of Fu Lions, China (16556ZOK)

    Original price was: $395.00.Current price is: $335.75.
    H: 5.75″  W: 3.25″  D: 2.75″ | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    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.

     

     

  • Sale!

    Antique Pair of Attendants with Offerings, China (16242BLK) SPECIAL PRICE

    Original price was: $650.00.Current price is: $552.50.
    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.

  • Sale!

    Antique Porcelain Cat Teapot, China (16944B-TLE) $145

    Original price was: $145.00.Current price is: $123.25.

    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.

     

  • Sale!

    Antique Shiwan Stoneware Wall Pocket Chopsticks Holder, China (16031A TLK) $115

    Original price was: $115.00.Current price is: $97.75.
    H:  6.75″ W: 4.875″ D: 2.5″ | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.

    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.

  • Sale!

    Antique Stoneware Wall Pocket Chopsticks Holder, China, Shiwan China (16966A-PAL) $115

    Original price was: $115.00.Current price is: $97.75.
    H: 7.375″ W: 5.125″ D: 2.5″ | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    Decorative utilitarian Shiwan ware 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.” It can hold utensils, dried flowers, and other objects and is a unique wedding gift.

     

  • Sale!

    Antique Stoneware Wall Pocket Chopsticks Holder, Shiwan, China (16966B-PAL) $115

    Original price was: $115.00.Current price is: $97.75.
    H: 7.375″ W: 5.125″ D: 2.5″ | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    Decorative utilitarian Shiwan ware 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.” It can hold utensils, dried flowers, and other objects and is a unique wedding gift.

  • Sale!

    Antique Wood Zhenwu the Taoist “Perfected Warrior,” China (19416XLKE) SPECIAL PRICE

    Original price was: $1,250.00.Current price is: $1,062.50.
    H: 15.25″  W: 6.75″  D: 6.75″ |CALL 213-568-3030 OR EMAIL [email protected] FOR SHIPPING COST

    Zhenwu (Perfected Warrior) is one of the most important and powerful Taoist deities, god of one of the 4 cardinal directions (the north) revered for his potent magical powers to suppress demonic forces. This provincial image for personal devotion and reflects his classic iconography: seated on a throne, bare feet resting on a snake and a tortoise, a celestial scarf and maille armor. Intricately carved he has a powerful presence.

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    Antique/Vintage Porcelain Cat Teapot, Chinese Republic (16944A-WLE) $135

    Original price was: $135.00.Current price is: $114.75.
    H: 5.5″ W: 3″ D: 3.375″ | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This charming white porcelain cat teapot has a removable head, a long sinuous tail  handle, and an opening at the end of its paw to serve tea. The hand painted design is whimsical and colorful featuring a thin ribbon-like gold collar and dangling ornamental bow and black accents and pink strokes that define the face, eyes, ears, head and paws.

  • Sale!

    Antique/Vintage Porcelain Cat Teapot, Chinese Republic (17022B-ZLK) $135

    Original price was: $135.00.Current price is: $114.75.
    H: 7” W: 6.5” D: 3.625” | FREE SHIPPING WITHIN CONTINENTAL U.S.!

    This glazed white porcelain cat teapot with a raised paw, like most vessels in this genre, has a removable head, a long sinuous tail handle and a raised paw as a spout. The hand painted whimsical and colorful design includes a thin ribbon-like blue collar and an impressive dangling ornamental bow with black accents that define the face, ears, head and paws.
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