Picture This! Symbol & Meaning In Chinese Decorative Arts
Image by Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library
Pewter was used and valued by the Chinese long before it appeared in Europe. Pewter is an alloy of tin and lead. It is soft and can be easily shaped, engraved and stamped. In China, pewter was used for keeping water hot in kettles and serving food, wine and tea. During the 19th century, Yixing clay was added as an interior liner for pewter teapots.
Snuff bottles were used by the Chinese to contain powdered tobacco. Smoking tobacco was originally illegal in China, but the use of snuff was allowed because the Chinese considered snuff to be a remedy for common illnesses such as colds, headaches and stomach disorders.
It was common to offer a pinch of snuff as a way to greet friends and relatives. Snuff bottles soon became an object of beauty and a way to represent status. The highest status went to whoever had the rarest and finest snuff bottle.
1. Double gourd flask
ca. 20th century
Pewter
97.40.115
The double gourd symbolizes the union of yin and yang, heaven and earth, and good omens.
2. Butterfly bowl
ca. 20th century
Porcelain
97.40.204
Butterflies are a symbol of long life, beauty and elegance.
3. Square vase
ca. 20th century
Pewter
97.40.132
4. Bamboo teapot
ca. 20th century
Pewter, jade, Yixing clay
97.40.29
This teapot is shaped like the bamboo plant.
5. Teapot with bamboo design
ca. 20th century
Pewter, jade, Yixing clay
97.40.38
Bamboo symbolizes longevity reliability, courage in adversity, and good breeding.
6. Pair of lotus blossom candlesticks
ca. 20th century
Pewter
97.40.75ab
The lotus flower, which grows out of the mud, is a symbol of purity and enlightenment.
7. Snuff bottle
ca. 20th century
Glass, inner painting
97.40.281
Goldfish are a symbol of success and wealth. The words for gold fish are phonetically identical to the two words meaning gold in abundance.
8. Teapot with lizard lid
ca. 20th century
Pewter
97.40.45
9. Lotus leaf dish with rooster
ca. 20th century
Porcelain
79.17.5d
10. Floral bracelet
ca. 20th century
Lacquer, cinnabar
97.40.320
Cinnabar (or vermilion) is the pigment used in Chinese red lacquer.
11. Snuff bottle with birds
ca. 20th century
Glass, red glass overlay, brass
97.40.271
12. Snuff bottle with Mandarin Ducks
ca. 20th century
Porcelain, enamel, turquoise, coral
97.40.237
Mandarin Ducks are a symbol of married bliss because they are believed to mate for life.
Vesak - 20100528 - IMG_5401.jpg
Image by Dhammika Heenpella / Images of Sri Lanka
Picture This! Symbol & Meaning In Chinese Decorative Arts
Image by Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library
Pewter was used and valued by the Chinese long before it appeared in Europe. Pewter is an alloy of tin and lead. It is soft and can be easily shaped, engraved and stamped. In China, pewter was used for keeping water hot in kettles and serving food, wine and tea. During the 19th century, Yixing clay was added as an interior liner for pewter teapots.
Snuff bottles were used by the Chinese to contain powdered tobacco. Smoking tobacco was originally illegal in China, but the use of snuff was allowed because the Chinese considered snuff to be a remedy for common illnesses such as colds, headaches and stomach disorders.
It was common to offer a pinch of snuff as a way to greet friends and relatives. Snuff bottles soon became an object of beauty and a way to represent status. The highest status went to whoever had the rarest and finest snuff bottle.
6. Pair of lotus blossom candlesticks
ca. 20th century
Pewter
97.40.75ab
The lotus flower, which grows out of the mud, is a symbol of purity and enlightenment.
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