Antique Display Shelf (博古架)

by Ang Yik  Han

The term “bo gu” (博古) is derived from an inventory of antiques stored in the Xuanhe Palace commissioned by the Song Emperor Huizong. The published compilation consisting of 30 volumes was titled “bo gu tu”( 博古图) or diagrams of antiques. Subsequently, the shelves used in the Song palaces to display choice antiques came to be known as “bo gu” shelves. Over time, such shelves became popular outside of the royal court and appeared in the homes of the landed gentry, where they were used in studies and other private spaces to display antiques, curios and art pieces. Ranging in size from cabinets to small tabletop display racks, they still provide an Oriental touch for many homes today.

In Chinese art, antique display shelves containing various items with auspicious or felicitious connotations often appear as decorative motifs. However, few have been observed as tomb decorations at Bukit Brown. A rare pair can be seen at Ong Sam Leong’s tomb on the carved panels adjoining the Earth Deity’s altar.

The following objects can be seen on the panel on the left (from right to left)

• a vase with peony flowers – peace and prosperity.
• a tripod fruit platter containing a peach, a pumpkin and a citron – the fruits symbolise longevity, fertility (especially male offspring) and happiness. Collectively, they are known as the “3 Abundances”.
• what seems to be a Western clock – this may be an admonition to descendants to be mindful of time which waits for no man.

OSL Panel (photo Yik Han)

Those on the right panel are (from left to right)

• a censer with threading incense smoke above – fertility and generations which go on and on
• a container with a staff from which  hangs a chime (bell) in the an “ao yu” or dragon fish – the character for chime in Mandarin is phonetically similar to “wishing” and the “ao yu” finds common use in an idiom which means “to be the best” (独占鳌头), so this could be an expression of wishing (descendants) to take the lead in all their endeavours
• a container with what seems to be a pair of forceps used with incense
• what looks like a branch from a plum tree – the plum blossom is admired for its resilience so this could be the implied meaning here

This is another example of the fine tomb sculpture which adds to the elegance of the tombs of Bukit Brown.

Editor’s Footnote : The same features were discovered on a tomb in the deep undergrowth  of Lau Sua by Brownies exploring the area. Clothed in moss, the features are still discernible and the tomb itself is pretty grand!