BOXWOOD 黄杨木 5 BATS

5 BATS 黄杨木 HUANGYANG MU BOXWOOD
VINTAGE

A decorative auspicious object, carved from 黄杨木 huangyang mu boxwood.

Superbly carved from a block of solid boxwood, as a woven split cane basket with matching cover, 5 Bats in flight around, exceptional details.

Formerly the property of a Japanese collector.

Condition: excellent.

Please refer to the images for details as they also form the description.

Depending on your computer monitor / phone / etc colour may vary to actual
Dimensions are maximum measurements

Height about : 11.2 cm
Diameter about: 10.8 cm
Weight: 206 grams

A$415
In this instance the woven cane basket can be visualised as a round box.
"Wu Fu He He" (五褔和合/盒) is a rebus used by the Chinese people. It is an image which contains five bats flying above a round box.
The words "he he" literally means "box" (盒), yet its implied meaning is "harmony". Since the Chinese word "盒" (He) has the same sound with "合" (He). "Hehe" (和盒) is actually the name of a fairy of a Chinese myth, who symbolized the mutual love between the married couple.
Chinese people hope the rebus of "Wu Fu He He" will bring a blissful and harmonious life to the married couple.

The phrase "Wu Fu Lin Men" (五褔臨門) is commonly used among the Chinese people as a blessing to their relatives especially during the Chinese New Year. The rebus of "Wu Fu Lin Men" is created by five grouped bats

Referring the episode of Hong Fan in the Book of Documents, the meaning of the Five Blessings are: Health (康寧), Wealth (富), Long Life (壽), Love of Virtue (yu hao te 攸好德) and a Peaceful Death (考終命) accordingly. (Wikipedia)