Pictorial Charm Item Number: Edz4289 from the MOA: University of British Columbia

Description

Round, round centre hole, inner and outer rims on both sides, characters and design on obverse, pictorial design on reverse; four characters in column left, figure right on obverse; animals including tiger, bat, spider, cock, and lizard on reverse.

History Of Use

Probably used for hanging or display (Larson, David). An amulet used as part of ritual paraphernalia at the May 5th Festival to keep the harmful things such as: dangerous animals, poisonous bugs, evil spirts, etc. Presumably worn by children (Li, Min).

Iconographic Meaning

Representation of five harmful creatures on reverse: three-legged toad, tiger, spider, snake, and centipede. One of the regional variations of representing the "Five Poisonous/Vicious" creatures.

Item History

What

Name
Pictorial Charm
Identification Number
Edz4289
Type of Item
charm
Material
brass metal
Manufacturing Technique
cast and filed
Overall
height 0.2 cm, diameter 4.38 cm, weight 15.69 g

Who

Culture
Chinese
Previous Owner
Colin Campbell Brown and Hugh Campbell Brown
Received from
Hugh Campbell Brown (Donor)

Where

Holding Institution
MOA: University of British Columbia
Made in
China

When

Creation Date
between 1368 and 1911
Collection Date
between 1893 and 1911
Ownership Date
before February 1, 1961
Acquisition Date
on February 1, 1961

Other

Item Classes
metalwork
Condition
good
Accession Number
0042/0031 p