tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314235093749031486.post2839474163302301669..comments2024-03-23T09:18:34.779-07:00Comments on RoadToParnassus: Chinese Mystery Object with Kissing DragonsParnassushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08958901307538141468noreply@blogger.comBlogger32125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314235093749031486.post-62216404972366560162016-01-02T08:12:58.056-08:002016-01-02T08:12:58.056-08:00Hi Hels, I'll try to look out for something ...Hi Hels, I'll try to look out for something interesting. --JimParnassushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08958901307538141468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314235093749031486.post-71267925790341056882015-12-29T23:06:25.874-08:002015-12-29T23:06:25.874-08:00Happy New Year!!
I am managing the History Carniv...Happy New Year!!<br /><br />I am managing the History Carnival for January 2016 and need nominations for your own blog post or someone else’s by 31/1/2016. The theme I have chosen is History of the Visual, Performing, Musical and Literary Arts, but all good history posts will be welcomed. The nomination form is at http://historycarnival.org/form.html<br /><br />Helshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02849907428208235392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314235093749031486.post-35007165302602298832015-12-15T12:15:57.443-08:002015-12-15T12:15:57.443-08:00Hello Gerard Alan, Thank you for your comment--it...Hello Gerard Alan, Thank you for your comment--it's never too late! You are right, these objects have an incredible look and feel, and in the case of these muyu, their own special sound also (I assume that you have looked at the follow-up post that explains their function as a musical instrument.) --JimParnassushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08958901307538141468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314235093749031486.post-50358465631977605452015-12-15T02:22:50.143-08:002015-12-15T02:22:50.143-08:00A very interesting post! I appear to be coming in ...A very interesting post! I appear to be coming in quite late, but what a great mystery object to share with your readers. It is the kind of item that you could look at for quite a long time, turning it over in your hand and attending to all the fascinating detail. It's lovely - thank you for showing it.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12939428816770549488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314235093749031486.post-63616204572355955012015-04-27T03:59:23.087-07:002015-04-27T03:59:23.087-07:00Hello Hels, I promise next time not to withhold s...Hello Hels, I promise next time not to withhold such a pertinent photograph, but you realized anyway the importance of some kind of opening. Honestly, I thought that at least someone would guess a rattle of some sort, or would have seen them in an Asian setting. --JimParnassushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08958901307538141468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314235093749031486.post-36530919335046524562015-04-27T00:28:09.960-07:002015-04-27T00:28:09.960-07:00You were right ) The side view makes its musical f...You were right ) The side view makes its musical function more readily apparent. Or at least seeing that there was an opening into the object.<br /><br />Thanks. I enjoyed the guessing.Helshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02849907428208235392noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314235093749031486.post-80169649273569277522015-04-23T01:37:30.830-07:002015-04-23T01:37:30.830-07:00Hello Petra, Many things stay in the periphery o...Hello Petra, Many things stay in the periphery of vision without reaching the level of full consciousness. That is part of the appeal of photography or sketching (or collecting), focusing on details that otherwise get lost in the larger whole. --JimParnassushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08958901307538141468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314235093749031486.post-33487083382532530032015-04-23T01:03:08.422-07:002015-04-23T01:03:08.422-07:00I've seen these before in Asia but I've ne...I've seen these before in Asia but I've never paid attention. too bad :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314235093749031486.post-56095384525200084192015-04-22T22:11:27.376-07:002015-04-22T22:11:27.376-07:00You were closer with the first guess--that is the ...You were closer with the first guess--that is the trouble with clues; they can lead in several directions. I am getting the answer ready now, and with any luck will post it later today.Parnassushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08958901307538141468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314235093749031486.post-67939179766670995722015-04-22T21:07:18.797-07:002015-04-22T21:07:18.797-07:00A door key, or part thereof?A door key, or part thereof?columnisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03764365428633038329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314235093749031486.post-36914759306540882022015-04-22T08:21:00.613-07:002015-04-22T08:21:00.613-07:00They do have little rolling pins here for making t...They do have little rolling pins here for making the wrappers for dumplings, but this has nothing to do with the preparation of food. --JimParnassushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08958901307538141468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314235093749031486.post-2698930699967112302015-04-22T08:19:24.259-07:002015-04-22T08:19:24.259-07:00Hello Columnist, Not a door knocker, but tantaliz...Hello Columnist, Not a door knocker, but tantalizingly close! --JimParnassushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08958901307538141468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314235093749031486.post-77026553318217194752015-04-22T08:00:57.244-07:002015-04-22T08:00:57.244-07:00Last shot at it - kneading dough rather like we do...Last shot at it - kneading dough rather like we do with our rolling pins.Rosemaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03814070177137076757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314235093749031486.post-65832047496891097702015-04-21T22:40:00.862-07:002015-04-21T22:40:00.862-07:00A door knocker?A door knocker?columnisthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03764365428633038329noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314235093749031486.post-81378845861201851572015-04-21T06:31:33.232-07:002015-04-21T06:31:33.232-07:00Hello again, I think I know what you mean; someth...Hello again, I think I know what you mean; something like this could be useful for laundry (in fact, hold that thought for a future post), but these objects are not meant to get wet. --JimParnassushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08958901307538141468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314235093749031486.post-88464017697395237252015-04-21T05:45:00.411-07:002015-04-21T05:45:00.411-07:00Dear Jim - I am having another attempt - could it ...Dear Jim - I am having another attempt - could it be an implement used when washing the laundry!Rosemaryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03814070177137076757noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314235093749031486.post-77038360157755660352015-04-20T10:06:35.659-07:002015-04-20T10:06:35.659-07:00Hello CD, While carved dragons and such do give ...Hello CD, While carved dragons and such do give items like this a lot of their charm, it can be difficult to see past them to the more basic forms and functions underneath. In a plainer form, these objects have made great inroads into Western society. --JimParnassushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08958901307538141468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314235093749031486.post-33476712052980424682015-04-20T09:53:23.966-07:002015-04-20T09:53:23.966-07:00Hello Jim,
I am completely stumped, which is no s...Hello Jim,<br /><br />I am completely stumped, which is no surprise really as I have zero knowledge of Chinese decorative objects other than what you've taught your loyal readers. I await with baited breath for the mystery to be revealed.Chronica Domushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06732224119040843337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314235093749031486.post-9828708720704828632015-04-18T11:47:18.081-07:002015-04-18T11:47:18.081-07:00Hello Barbara, These aren't for preparing fo...Hello Barbara, These aren't for preparing food, but it's funny you should mention netsuke, because I have a few netsuke shaped like tiny versions of these--they are even operable! Unfortunately, I believe that they are in Cleveland, so I won't be able to include a photo in the follow-up article. --JimParnassushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08958901307538141468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314235093749031486.post-59937861805367276282015-04-18T10:48:52.048-07:002015-04-18T10:48:52.048-07:00Hi Jim. Well, since my track record with your myst...Hi Jim. Well, since my track record with your mystery objects is so impressive, I thought I'd try again. The first thing that sprang to mind before reading the comments was some kind of Chinese version of a netsuke. Then I thought it might rock back and forth in some culinary purpose like maybe smashing cooked rice into a paste for mochi? I know, I know. I should stick to my day job. Wishing you a happy weekend. BarbaraAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314235093749031486.post-76905285417773732992015-04-18T09:11:05.553-07:002015-04-18T09:11:05.553-07:00Hello Mariette, Although this certainly does loo...Hello Mariette, Although this certainly does look like some kind of instrument for pounding, it actually is not sturdy enough to serve that function, so it must have some other use. A happy Sunday to you, too. --JimParnassushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08958901307538141468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314235093749031486.post-33749705742899641132015-04-18T08:40:13.725-07:002015-04-18T08:40:13.725-07:00Dearest Jim,
Would it have been something to pound...Dearest Jim,<br />Would it have been something to pound on seeds, for opening them? You always have the most interesting mystery objects and pretty ones too! Real coffee table treasures!<br />Kindest regards for a happy Sunday.<br />MarietteMariette VandenMunckhof-Vedderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16877699174880945452noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314235093749031486.post-19852037356854004652015-04-18T04:58:29.761-07:002015-04-18T04:58:29.761-07:00Hello Ann, Ah, Chinese cosmetics containers are ...Hello Ann, Ah, Chinese cosmetics containers are a whole specialty in themselves, but that is not what this is. These are quite common and important in Japan, so I sure that you have seen them, at least out of the corner of your eye! --JimParnassushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08958901307538141468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314235093749031486.post-8016912661987775612015-04-18T04:40:29.803-07:002015-04-18T04:40:29.803-07:00I love these mystery objects! Tried to read the pr...I love these mystery objects! Tried to read the previous comments/clues but to no avail! I always learn so much from you, Jim. The wear on the sides seems to note that it is held not be the dragons but by the body - just conjecture here! Does it in fact open? Is it some kind of container, if not for tea, for perfumes, rouge or other cosmetics? I guess even dragons get dolled up for smooching? Annhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17991085128131515835noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7314235093749031486.post-28718281768015253332015-04-18T04:26:38.498-07:002015-04-18T04:26:38.498-07:00Hello Rosemary, Now that you mention it, dragons...Hello Rosemary, Now that you mention it, dragons are often paired in Chinese art, or occur in other significant multiples. Although this object is built to take a certain amount of hard use (it is a practical object), using it the way you suggest would probably break it (that is an extra hint!). --JimParnassushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08958901307538141468noreply@blogger.com