Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, 2006. Hardcover. Red cloth covered boards with gilt lettering to spine and to front cover. Decorative vellum dust jacket. Folio (9.5 x 1.25 x 12.25 inches) Clean text free of marks or underlining. Color photos throughout the text. Includes a list of illustrations, bibliography, English language Index, Pinyin Subject index and a Pinyin Auspicious Phrase Index. 351 pp.

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ISBN: 9780939117369

Can decorative objects increase one's wealth, happiness, or longevity? Traditionally, many Chinese have believed that they could
— provided they include the appropriate auspicious symbols. In Hidden Meanings in Chinese Art Terese Tse Bartholomew, culminating decades of research, has provided a thorough guide to such symbols.

Auspicious symbols in Chinese art are often in the form of rebuses - visual puns. Because many words in Chinese share the same pronunciation, there is a wealth of opportunities for such punning, and over the centuries many rebuses have developed established meanings.

Should one give a clock as a gift? Certainly not! "To give a clock," songzhong, is a pun for "a last farewell," in other words, for attending a person who is on the edge of death. Why is a pot of philodendrons an appropriate gift for someone opening a new store or restaurant?
In America the philodendron serves as a substitute for a Chinese plant named wannianging, or "ten thousand years green." Such a gift expresses the wish that the business will flourish for ten thousand years.

Hidden Meanings in Chinese Art brings a systematic approach to the cataloguing of such hidden meanings. The book is divided into ten chapters, guided by the three Star Gods, Fu (blessings, happiness), Lu (wealth, rewards) and Shou (longevity). Fu governs chapters one through three, on blessings, marriage, and children. Lu governs chapters four, five, and six, on passing exams, gaining official rank, and obtaining wealth. Shou governs chapter seven, on longevity.
Three additional chapters survey motifs for peace, wish-granting. and festivals.

Richly illustrated with photos of art objects and with many original illustrations by the author and Mulan Bartholomew, and enhanced with extensive bilingual indexes and other supporting materials, this book is an essential reference for anyone interested in exploring Chinese art and culture.
TERESE TSE BARTHOLOMEW is Curator of Himalayan Art and.

Price: $259.95