26 photos
A basket of flowers, Ding family of the Jinchang pavillion, Suzhou, 1690. The inscription on this print identifies the Ding family as coming from [near] the Jinchang pavillion. The Jinchang pavillion was near the Chang gate, in north-western Suzhou. This is the area where the district of Taohuawu was located, which had many hundreds of print workshops in the early Qing dynasty. Each print is of an auspicious subject accompanied by a verse which is a pun on the motifs depicted.The basket is an attribute of Lan Caihe, one of the Eight Immortals. It represented a receptacle of riches and was a motif which was often used to evoke harmony. In this case, it comes with the wish that one's luck would be as fragrant and as plentiful as the flowers in the basket. The magnolia, wild apple and peony are all symbols of spring, and so this print would presumably have been used during the Chinese New Year. When the magnolia and wild apple are depicted together, it means, 'May your halls be rich and honoured'. The peony was also known as fugui hua, the flower of riches and honour.
OA, 1906.11-28.3
#03070238

A basket of flowers, Ding family of the Jinchang pavillion, Suzhou, 1690. The in...

Cylinder seal and imprint: bulls raised against trees, 
a symbol of abundance. Kassite period, 1595-1200 BCE   
Limestone, H: 5,5 cm, 1,7 across.                      
AO 25365
#08021518

Cylinder seal and imprint: bulls raised against trees, a symbol of abundance. K...

Fortuna holding steering                               
oar and cornucopia.                                    
Bronze, from Caesarea
#08050656

Fortuna holding steering oar and cornucopia....

Entrance to a private house in Pompeii. The            
inscription on the floor says: "Salve lucrum" -        
"Welcome,wealth"
#10040434

Entrance to a private house in Pompeii. The inscription on the floor...

A mural, showing the god Priapus, was meant to
protect the wealth of the Vettii family against
jealousy and envy. House of the Vettii, Pompeii.
#10040456

A mural, showing the god Priapus, was meant to protect the wealth of the Vettii...

Pyramus and Thisbe, mural to the right of the          
nymphaeum, House of Loreius Tiburtinus, Pompeii.
#10040457

Pyramus and Thisbe, mural to the right of the nymphaeum, House of Lore...

Teotihuacan, Temple of Quetzalcoatl, the Feathered     
Serpent, and Tlaloc, the rain-god. Heads of Jaguars,   
symbol of death, jut out from flowers, symbol of       
plenitude; the god Tlaloc is shown with a face of      
corncobs and large goggles (3rd-6th CE).
#12010265

Teotihuacan, Temple of Quetzalcoatl, the Feathered Serpent, and Tlaloc, the...

The head of a jaguar, symbol of the setting sun and    
of death, juts out from a flower, symbol of plenitude. 
Tempel of Quetzalcoatl and Tlaloc, Teotihuacan, Mexico 
(3rd-6th CE).
#12010267

The head of a jaguar, symbol of the setting sun and of death, juts out from...

Red room with galloon decoration                       
("Rotes Tressenzimmer", 19th).                         
Charlottenburg Palace (18th).
#14020137

Red room with galloon decoration ("Rotes Tressenzimmer",...

Audience room of the Wolfenbuettel Water Castle        
of the 13th, partly destroyed in the 16th, rebuilt     
and enlarged 17th-18th. Residence of the Dukes of      
Brunswick and Lueneburg until 1753-1754.
#14020162

Audience room of the Wolfenbuettel Water Castle of the 13th, partly dest...

Dining-room of a wealthy Dutch merchant, end 17th
#16010322

Dining-room of a wealthy Dutch merchant, end 17th

La Vie du Fils Prodigue,11 engravings.
The father showers the son with money.
ca. 6,1 x 8,1 cm
Lieure 1405
#33010152

La Vie du Fils Prodigue,11 engravings. The father showers the son with money....