Rare Old Chinese Watch Tower Garden Lighting Lantern

About the Item

From our recent garden Acquisitions, Rare issue This handsome quality tall Chinese export pagoda top "Watch Tower" hand cast and hand painted lantern is a special find and an authentic old work of art. It dates mid-20th century. View the brilliant night light which bursts from its pierced perforations! Its design is reminiscent of China's tall ancient 2000 year old wooden watch towers built to tower high into the sky so clans could view and receive early warning from approaching rivals (see photograph of a pottery model). Please note the finely detailed tower sections with undulating roof lines, - we count four sections and three separate roofs- each hexagonal surface sculpted in a vine and window pattern all designed to a hexagonal format. - a genuinely creative effort by a talented former artist. Appropriately hand painted in a creamy white color. The lowest section comfortably twists off -so there are two (2) sections, the top of the base section reveals the perfect LED or candle installation space In a convenient portable size, may be installed on any surface. Dimensions: 18 inches tall to top and 5.5 inches wide, two pieces. This handsome rendition would make an excellent garden candidate and stellar conversational display for all your friends, family, and commmunity to joyfully appreciate. Its an ideal accent size for your favorite indoor or outdoor space. Candle access is comfortably reached through the lantern base. Photographed in natural day light. Provenance: Old American garden. Many of our customers place LED, candles or tea lights inside the main section making a romantic and enjoyable decorative accent for entertaining friends and family. It's a perfect choice for your indoor or outdoor garden space. Lifetime guarantee of authenticity. History of Asian lanterns: In Japan a to¯ro¯ (lantern) is a traditional lantern made of stone, wood, or metal. Like many other elements of Japanese traditional architecture, it originated in China. In Japan, to¯ro¯ were originally used only in Buddhist temples, where they lined and illuminated paths and lighted lanterns were then considered an offering. In its complete, original form the lantern represents five elements of Buddhist cosmology: Bottom touching the ground, represents chi, the earth, the next section represents sui, or water, ka or fire, is represented by the section encasing the lantern's light or flame, while fu¯ (air) and ku¯ (void or spirit) are represented by the last two sections, top-most and pointing towards the sky. These last two sections express the IDEA that after death our physical bodies will go back to their original, elemental form.

Dimensions:

Height: 18 in (45.72 cm)Width: 5.5 in (13.97 cm)Depth: 5.5 in (13.97 cm)

Materials and Techniques:

Iron,Hand-Crafted,Hand-Painted

Place of Origin:

China

Period:

Mid-20th Century

Date of Manufacture:

Mid-20th Century

Condition:

Wear consistent with age and use.