A harvest

For the past few days when I visited the vendor who put up the tent selling art-n-craft things near where I live, he had been persuading me to buy a big piece of jade disc measuring more than a foot in diameter. He kept telling me that it wasn't easy to have some jade so big in size and crafted in this shape. This round jade disc pieces are traditionally worn by young children for peace and tranquility. But they are very small in size when use for that purpose, not more than an inch in diameter. The are worn as pendants round children's neck.

I declined to buy it as I felt that it would not be easy to find a place to display it in my house. Moreover, my wife would sure to grumble that I would spent money buying this worthless thing (in her mind). I do admit that it is quite unique and I haven't see such a thing in the past. It is really not easy to find a jade that size and the quality is not bad at all.

A huge Jade Disc

Then one day, when I was looking at two more stones on display, he quickly made an offer and he thought that I would not resist the offer. He said if I were to buy the huge jade disc, he would throw in the two stones for free. But I was still not tempted as I wasn't sure where to put in the house for display. I really have too many things in the house. I was still worried that my wife would nag at me for buying so many things and clog up useful space in the house. She likes a clean house with lots of space. Each time I brought something home she would frown at me and started nagging. This experience wasn't pleasant at all. Its a dilemma. Although I don't like the nagging, but I can't help when I see something I like.

Two stones with special marks on them

Then one night, my wife told me that we needed to buy a painting to replace the one on display in the dinning room (she felt it was not that nice). I remembered that there were some paintings on display in the stall as well. Immediately I went to the art-n-craft dealer and see if I could find something there. There was one scenery type (mountains and springs) of painting but it was oblong in shape; didn't fit well in the dinning room. Then I saw this particular one and the vendor told me it was an embroidery work of art. It was woven into a painting using silk thread of different colours. I have never possess art of this sort. Immediately I made a proposal to the vendor. If I were to buy the jade disc, this painting could also be threw in for free, including the two stones that he offer earlier. The vendor thought for a while and agreed to my proposal. I paid him a deposit and took the painting and stones home. I world pay the rest the next day when I took the jade disc. He wrapped up the jade piece inside a box for me to collect the next time I visited him. This jade disc is really heavy and I really struggled to carry it hoe the next day.

Art work in embroidery

Now this painting hangs on the side wall of my dinning place. Each time I have diner, I can enjoy this work of art. It is really amazing that the Chinese people are able to create this art piece from embroidery using fine silk. The scenery has depth and shades of hues to depict a peaceful and tranquil nature.

As for the huge jade disc, it now sits nicely next to my other pieces of stone carvings. Live is indeed good when you are able to collect art-n-craft things and display them in your house. A great way to relieve stress while enjoying art.

Horses

Horses are remarkable animals. They remind us of speed, power and success.

In ancient warfare, horses played an important role in winning a war. The Mongolian army led by Kublai Khan was invincible. They were successful in conquering so many countries in Asia and other regions of the world. Their success was partly due to the strong horses they bred. These horses were hardy and journeyed long distances, winning every war for the Mongolians. This was evident for the vast land in Asia and Europe they occupied.

There is a popular Chinese saying "Success comes when the horses arrived". 

In the old days, the power of engines were measured in horse power. This shows man's respect for this animal.

I love horses as well and I have always wanted to buy a carving of a strong horse that depicts power and speed. In a local open-market stall, I spotted one that I liked and bought it. It is a wood carving of a standing horse with the character Wealth in Chinese on its saddle. On the stand there is a Chinese phrase meaning A standing horse attracting wealth. Chinese craftsmen like to put in auspicious words in the art pieces. They can sell their stuff better as people like what they see.

A standing horse

Horses also appeared in painting as well as antique artifacts.

Tang dynasty men loved horses. They created master pieces of horse sculpture and glazed them in the most traditional way using few hue.The most sought after are the porcelain horses which were glazed in three colours. They can command hefty prices during auctions. Most big museums in the world will have such horses on display. They were lovely and adorable.

A Tang dynasty horse

Horses were also a favourite subject for the Tang dynasty artist. They created numerous art pieces that depicted horses in their everyday life.

Tang dynasty painting

Contemporary artist Xu Beihong is also famous for painting horses. If you possess a horse painting by Xu, that will make you an instant multi-millionaire.

Horse painting by Xu

Year of the Rooster

Once again, the lunar new year is around the corner. This year is the year of the rooster, a good year for those who are born in the year of the horse (1894, 1954, 2014, etc), plenty of cash and fortune (read from papers).

Paper cutting of a rooster

In the area where I live, many vendors put up tents for the exhibition-cum-sale of new year goodies from cookies to art-n-craft things. Usually the open-air stores will be opened until the last day before the near year, the new year eve.

This one selling art-n-craft things

This one selling new year decorating items

This one selling flowers

Another selling art-n-craft things

I am not too keen on cookies and food stuff. As usual I will throng the art-n-craft things on display, looking for good buys. All these stores are run by people from China where they can get their stuff easily. Things like vases, paintings, furniture, figurines, etc, are on display. As the days pass, the things will get cheaper and cheaper. The vendors do not want to ship the things back to China (doesn't make sense) once the festive season is over. Moreover, they also want to go home to spend the new year with their families.

This year the art-n-craft things on display are not that interesting. The vases are very common and are mostly mass produced. Eventually I settled on some stones and tea ware. These are what I was able to buy at a reasonable price.

Mountains-n-streams

Fortune tree

This year is bad for business due to global recession. The vendors worry that the sale may not be fantastic as compare to last year. But I believe that the things they brought in are not attractive. The buyers have a higher expectation and they usually don't part with their money easily. Of course unless the things they see are unique and interesting.

Anyway the tea ware suits me well as I have always wanted a bigger place to brew my tea. The two stones look funny and interesting. One has features that resemble high mountains while the other with features that look like a tree, money bearing tree; plenty of cash and fortune this year.