{"id":5427,"date":"2012-11-17T23:51:33","date_gmt":"2012-11-17T15:51:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bukitbrown.com\/main\/?p=5427"},"modified":"2012-11-18T10:40:16","modified_gmt":"2012-11-18T02:40:16","slug":"antique-display-shelf-%e5%8d%9a%e5%8f%a4%e6%9e%b6","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bukitbrown.com\/main\/2012\/antique-display-shelf-%e5%8d%9a%e5%8f%a4%e6%9e%b6\/","title":{"rendered":"Antique Display Shelf (\u535a\u53e4\u67b6)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Antique Display Shelf (\u535a\u53e4\u67b6)<\/p>\n

by Ang Yik\u00a0 Han<\/p>\n

The term \u201cbo gu\u201d (\u535a\u53e4) 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 \u201cbo gu tu\u201d( \u535a\u53e4\u56fe) or diagrams of antiques. Subsequently, the shelves used in the Song palaces to display choice antiques came to be known as \u201cbo gu\u201d 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.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s tomb on the carved panels adjoining the Earth Deity\u2019s altar.<\/p>\n

The following objects can be seen on the panel on the left (from right to left)<\/p>\n