Golden house hides auspiciousness - Continuous offspring

Author: Xia Feng
Publisher:
Publish Date: 2006-05-01
Features: This book is one in the "Treasures in Golden Houses Series," briefly discussing various types of brackets (jiézi) that have been collected from antique furniture since ancient times, with a majority being from frame beds and a small portion from ancient architectural brackets. It examines the characteristics of different eras, the collecting experiences of various individuals, and price comparisons across different periods. It fully demonstrates the treasure value that has been passed down to this day, making it an easy-to-understand guide for collectors. From brackets (jiézi), knots (jiézi), and auspicious brackets (jízi), it reflects the evolution of nature, decoration, and culture. The term "bracket" (jiézi) carries a natural essence, "knot" (jiézi) implies artificial decoration, and "auspicious bracket" (jízi) represents a cultural leap. Brackets (jiézi) can be traced back to the "ancestors" of "low pillars" (ǎilǎo) on Ming Dynasty furniture, which were generally short vertical woods connecting components like the rook rail, toothboard, large edge, and wiping head on tables, chairs, and stools, commonly referred to as "low pillars" (ǎilǎo) in northern China. In the Qing Dynasty, the "low pillars" on square tables had evolved to incorporate rich content such as figures, animals, and flowers, combining functionality with decoration. With the rapid advancement of woodcarving craftsmanship in the mid-Qing Dynasty, brackets (jiézi) also appeared in the form of floral knots and auspicious brackets (jízi) in ordinary households and utensils, ranging from large supports like beam pillars (popularly known as "ox legs") and beam pads to small items like windows, doors, and frame beds. Their content had entered the realm of culture, mostly expressing auspicious meanings through homophonic symbolism. In addition to popular flowers and animals, the content also included deities' stories, wishes for children to succeed, and opera figures. Brackets (jiézi) are divided into:
(1) Supporting brackets (jiézi), which serve the function of stability, commonly found in ancient architecture and eight-immortals tables.
(2) Decorative brackets (jiézi), which fill gaps and enhance aesthetics. The brackets (jiézi) in this book are collected from antique furniture, with the majority being from frame beds and a small portion from ancient architectural brackets.