Important Notice

Bronze
21 x 21 x 23 in (53.3 x 53.3 x 58.4 cm)

Period Bronze planters of this type were imported by well to do Parsi families in the early part of the 20 th century to decorate their homes.This large trade was dominated by these families who imported things from Shanghai, Macao and Canton .The Planter illustrated here seems to be of a similar import.The cartouches show depictions of Mythical beings in the sea, while the cartouches have images of the Phoenix - a bird that signifies renaissance in Chinese Mythology and The dragon with the Pearl , a signifier of kingship. The legs are knobbed with the face of the Dog of FO who guard the entrance to Heaven. All the above symbolise eternity, longevity and good luck.

This magnificent Chinese planter once belonged to an illustrious Parsi family. The Parsis share a long history with China: they first arrived in 1765 to trade opium, spices, silk, tea and cotton, and to build trading houses (Anjani Trivedi, "In Hong Kong, a Once Prominent Parsi Community Faces Demise", TIME.com, July 17 2013).
This planter traces its origins back to the early 20th century, when trade between the Indian subcontinent and China flourished under the East India Company, and Parsi families who traded with Macau and Canton brought in lavish goods. The cartouches adorning the planter depict figures including the phoenix and dragon, which symbolise luck and prosperity.

Bronze
21 x 21 x 23 in (53.3 x 53.3 x 58.4 cm)

Period Bronze planters of this type were imported by well to do Parsi families in the early part of the 20 th century to decorate their homes.This large trade was dominated by these families who imported things from Shanghai, Macao and Canton .The Planter illustrated here seems to be of a similar import.The cartouches show depictions of Mythical beings in the sea, while the cartouches have images of the Phoenix - a bird that signifies renaissance in Chinese Mythology and The dragon with the Pearl , a signifier of kingship. The legs are knobbed with the face of the Dog of FO who guard the entrance to Heaven. All the above symbolise eternity, longevity and good luck.

This magnificent Chinese planter once belonged to an illustrious Parsi family. The Parsis share a long history with China: they first arrived in 1765 to trade opium, spices, silk, tea and cotton, and to build trading houses (Anjani Trivedi, "In Hong Kong, a Once Prominent Parsi Community Faces Demise", TIME.com, July 17 2013).
This planter traces its origins back to the early 20th century, when trade between the Indian subcontinent and China flourished under the East India Company, and Parsi families who traded with Macau and Canton brought in lavish goods. The cartouches adorning the planter depict figures including the phoenix and dragon, which symbolise luck and prosperity.