mahjong accessories

Dragons in Chinese Art and Mahjong: Carved Boxes

Kuan Yin • April 3, 2014

Here we have a deeply carved dragon on the side of a mahjong box. Isn't he just fabulous?! He definitely has more of the camel's head and lack of mane we expect, and his body is covered with fish-like scales. His claws are somewhat rounded, in keeping with the rounded shapes of the clouds, which here are ruyi-shaped (the mushroom shape often seen in Chinese art.) Note the cross-hatching around the center panel, forming a frame.

This set above, auctioned off at Channel Islands Auctions, features a wonderful deep carved front panel. The flaming disk may well be the object he's fixated on, and he's in the sky, seen in the clouds. On both of the boxes we have just looked at, the dragon scene does not relate in any way to the scenes on the other sides of the box. It just must have made the set more appealing to the buyer. Dragons can also appear on box handles. Here is one such example:

Here's a handsome fellow who definitely was the reason the new owner bought this box! And now follows a view from the side:

You can notice his camel-like head, long whiskers, and short backward facing horns. The carved scene he is covering is one of combat, but it does not seem to relate to the dragon whatsoever, unless we take the dragon as the symbol of the ruler and this is a story of a young ruler learning the arts of combat? And now for what has been promised for the last few days: information about those wonderful dragon and pearl photographs we saw. The artist is Liu Bolin, who is represented by Eli Klein Sun Gallery in New York City. Liu Bolin has been dubbed the Invisible Man, because very often viewers do not know that they are seeing him when they are looking at one of his photographs. In many ways, it is similar to many of us who don't know what we are seeing when we look at the art on Mahjong tiles and sets, but we are learning!

Above is the artist posed in front of yet another dragon from the 9 Dragon Wall in Beihai Park in Beijing, with the wall seen in its entirety in the photograph below. There is another 9 Dragon Wall in the Forbidden City.

We thank the people at Klein Sun Gallery, and invite you to explore more of the art and artists represented there.

To learn more about Liu Bolin, here are a few links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liu_Bolin

http://www.theatlantic.com/infocus/2013/11/liu-bolin-the-invisible-man/100623/

http://www.npr.org/blogs/pictureshow/2011/04/06/134666588/chinese-artist-attempts-to-blend-in-literally

Dragons in Chinese Art and Mahjong Part 4

Kuan Yin • April 1, 2014

These beautiful lacquer racks belonging to Katherine Hartman showcase some of the wonderful painting you can see on Mahjong accessories. Very talented artists designed and painted racks. The type seen here has a top shelf that slides back to reveal betting counters stored within. On the above racks, your eye would have been quickly drawn, by the brightness of the color and the wonderful design, to the dragons and pearl rack, second from the top. We already touched upon this topic, and here we will explore it a bit more in depth in connection with the dragon series, having to do with Mahjong accessories and the dragon and "pearl" pairing.

According to Patricia Bjaaland Welch in Chinese Art A guide to Visual Motifs and Visual Imagery, the pairing of dragons and pearls (or round disk or jewel) started in the Tang Dynasty (which ran from 618 until 906). She feels Robert D. Mowry offers the right explanation, that the dragon and disk represent elements from two traditions, the dragon from Chinese mythology and the jewel from Buddhism. The "pearl" may not actually be a pearl but a talismanic jewel that symbolizes wisdom. Welch adds the jewel often is seen surrounded by flames, adding to the belief that it represents the sun, but flames are often seen in Buddhist art, symbolizing magical powers.

We saw this dragon robe (Qing Dynasty) from the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art on an earlier post. You'll note here the dragon is surrounding a flaming object. Here it certainly does not resemble a pearl, but more like a disk, adding credence to the disk or jewel interpretation.

Above is a porcelain bowl from the Lucas Collection. You'll see a round disk, somewhat resembling a sand dollar, right in front of the dragon.

Above is another lacquer rack, quite different in appearance than the first dragon rack we saw. The dragons are hidden in the clouds, represented by the circular swirls. Two dragons surround the flaming disk; this type of two dragon rack is used by three out of the four players at a table.

The original East player has one with just one dragon.

And another wonderful dragon and "pearl" screen shot. Come visit the site tomorrow for another "photograph screen shot" and the information behind it.

Bats On Boxes 2 • 1 Comment

Kuan Yin • March 24, 2014

We thought this part was over, but one of our readers sent us two photographs of fabulous bats from the outside of boxes. We have to include them, of course, and you will see why. So we scoured the internet (mostly ebay) for more photos of bats, different yet from what we have seen to date, and they will be seen first.

The top panel has four bats in the corners. It is believed the two holding the medallion are too.

Another central medallion, this time held down by four bats.

On one writeup the vendor mentioned a stylized lucky bat handle. This box has one of them, and it looks like a bat in midflight, wings down.

This one has that kind of handle too. And you will see the brass has bats along the outside of the center medallion, maybe two or possibly four, etched into the brass. There has also been discussion as to whether the brass corners are bats too. If we go with the lack of antennae theory, they too would be bats. Ray Heaton added the following:

"This image on your blog shows the "double happiness" symbol on the box which is closely associated to wedding celebrations."

Notice the tiny little bats with their eyes etched into the brass, holding down the medallions.

This is a Chinese bat hat box. Don't you love the bats encircling the top cone?

And now for the reasons this extra bat post was added:

This fabulous bat is on a panel of a beautiful red lacquer box.

And this is the front panel, with two bats. Isn't the detail on the bodies and wings of the bats delightful? They are flying around a Shou symbol.

This little chart is taken from forumgeomancy.net

It shows a round form of shou, very similar to those on the box.

As always, if you have any photos of sets you'd like to include for this site, please send an email to

kuanyinart@gmail.com

And please sign up if you'd like to get email notifications about new posts.

Bats on Boxes • 1 Comment

Kuan Yin • March 23, 2014

In addition to their presence on tiles, bats can be found on Mahjong boxes. Sometimes bats are very easy to recognize, but often it is a bit harder because they are very stylized.

They can add ornamentation to the outside of the boxes.

This bat is fairly easy to recognize. It's on the front of a red lacquer box.

From the same red box, here is another one

Yes, it does look like a butterfly, but it seems that butterflies and bats often resemble each other in Chinese art. The lack of antennae make it more likely that it is a bat.

And bats like these are found around the top of the box:

wrapping around the edge from the top to the sides.

This bat is the drawer pull for a front panel; pulling the panel upward ( by holding the bat's body) reveals the drawers inside the box.

This ornate brass bat is on the side of a very special box.

Boxes like this are used for holding counters and dice. Here are some photos pulled from ebay:

You can see the four bats around the edge of the box

and along the sides. The bats on this box are completely endearing.

If a player was using this beautiful mother-of-pearl as a counter, she was very lucky indeed! Look up to the top and bottom middle of the counter. You will see a bat with outspread wings and striped body.

As always, if you have some photos you would like to add, please email me at

kuanyinart@gmail.com

Here is a story that is a must read; it is not about boxes, but it is about bats and a Chinese vase. It just had to be included somewhere on the site, so it is here.

Bone Inlays on Front Side of “Tibet” Racks • 1 Comment

Kuan Yin • February 16, 2014

The other day we featured the backside of the "Tibetan" Mahjong rack. (click here to see that post) Today we see the side that faces the player. These are also bone discs, with images representing the 12 year Chinese cycle. The Chinese New Year actually starts sometime in January or February, the second new moon after the winter solstice, so if your birthday is in either of those two months you may fall into the previous animal sign. There are personality traits that fall into each year. The following has been taken from the online version of the Old Farmer's Almanac.

The front side of the Tibet racks have lovely small bone inlays, each for a year on the Chinese calendar.

Here are closeups of all the years:

The Goat sometimes known as the Sheep

Year of the Goat: 1931, 1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003

Aesthetic and stylish, you enjoy being a private person. Compatible with the pig and the rabbit. Your opposite is the ox.

The Monkey

The year of the Monkey: 1920, 1932, 1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004

Persuasive, skillful, and intelligent, you strive to excel. Compatible with the dragon and the rat. Your opposite is the tiger.

The Rooster or Cock

Year of the Rooster: 1921, 1933, 1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005

Seeking wisdom and truth, you have a pioneering spirit. Compatible with the snake and the ox. Your opposite is the rabbit.

The Dog

Year of the Dog: 1922, 1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994, 2006

Generous and loyal, you have the ability to work well with others. Compatible with the horse and the tiger. Your opposite is the dragon.

The Pig or Boar

Year of the Pig: 1923, 1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995, 2007

Gallant and noble, your friends will remain at your side. Compatible with the rabbit and the sheep/goat. Your opposite is the snake.

The Rat

Year of the Rat:1924, 1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996, 2008

Ambitious and sincere, you can be generous with your money. Compatible with the dragon and the monkey. Your opposite is the horse.

The Ox or Buffalo

Year of the Ox: 1925, 1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997, 2009

A leader, you are bright, patient, and cheerful. Compatible with the snake and the rooster. Your opposite is the sheep.

The Tiger

Year of the Tiger: 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998, 2010

Forthright and sensitive, you possess great courage. You have the ability to be a strong leader capable of great sympathy. Compatible with the horse and the dog. Your opposite is the monkey.

The Rabbit or Hare

Year of the Rabbit: 1927, 1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999, 2011

Talented and affectionate, you are a seeker of tranquility. Compatible with the sheep and the pig. Your opposite is the rooster.

The Dragon

Year of the Dragon: 1928, 1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000, 2012

Robust and passionate, your life is filled with complexity. Compatible with the monkey and the rat. Your opposite is the dog.

The Snake

Year of the Snake: 1929, 1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001, 2013

Strong-willed and intense, you display great wisdom. Compatible with the rooster and the ox. Your opposite is the pig.

The Horse

Year of the Horse: 1930, 1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002, 2014

Physically attractive and popular, you like the company of others. Compatible with the tiger and the dog. Your opposite is the rat.

To learn more about the Chinese years and qualities associated with each one

Click here

Rack with Eight Immortals

Kuan Yin • February 4, 2014

This is a wonderful Mahjong tile rack with bone pieces inset into the wood. The racks are painted black, and are a delightful contrast to the white circles. It is believed these racks were made recently, and they are part of the set (discussed last month) that may have been made in Tibet.

The figures on the rounds are thought to be the Eight Immortals. A good clue is that there are eight rounds, and another is the figures are all standing on rounded circles which represent clouds in Chinese art. But identifying them all correctly is often very challenging. Sometimes it can only be done by means of eliminating the ones you know to be true, and seeing who is left. On this set, there are a few unidentified Immortals.

Spelling of the names is done with the help of Patricia Bjaaland Welch and her book: Chinese Art: A Guide to Motifs and Visual Imagery

This figure may be Lu Dongbin, identifiable with his fly whisk in hand.

This might be Zhang Guolao who carries a bamboo drum, and is the patron of artists and calligraphers.

Finally!! He Xiangu, recognizable because of her long-stemmed lotus. She is the patron of housewives.

Li Tieguai, recognized by the gourd bottle, he's dressed in rags, and is the patron of the ill.

This may be Cao Guojiu, the patron of actors and actresses.

And this may be Lu Dongbin with a sword on his back, the patron of barbers.

The Immortals are often recognized because of what they carry in their hands. Here it is a bit unclear. Our thanks to Ray Heaton who venture a few guesses for a couple of mystery Immortals.

Mahjong Treasures

Appreciating the Art of Mahjong; A Collector's Guide