Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is nearly upon us and 2018 brings us the year of the Dog - the Chinese zodiac moves in a 12 year cycle and each year has a corresponding animal. Zodiac signs play an integral part in Chinese culture, and can be used to determine your fortune for the year.  

Chinese New Year is a special occasion whichever part of the world you're in, and nearly always marked by family gatherings, food rituals, offerings at temples and the colour red. The decorations used on doors and windows are red coloured paper-cuts. The themes of these decorations are of happiness, good fortune, longevity and wealth. Firecrackers are also popular during the Chinese New Year as they are thought to scare off evil spirits. Expect to see lots of of colour, noise and a lots of dragons during the celebrations in London next Friday, 16th February.

At Alfies we have a wide array of Chinese items that would make wonderful gift offerings for the new year, here are our top picks..

3 boys holding a peach, c970s. Traditionally gifted on Chinese New Year. In Chinese society the peach has the meaning of long life. Available from Horner Antiques.

Chinese mid-century lidded pot, decorated with peaches and bats for longevity and good fortune, in famille jaune porcelain. The pot bears an apocryphal mark for the reign of the Emperor Qianlong (1735-1796). Available from Horner Antiques.

Chinese cinnabar, resin. Carved to represent flowers the traditional Chinese way. The technique goes back centuries. Pieces ranging from 1920s through to the latter part of the 20th century. Available from Horner Antiques.

19th century blue and white moon vase. Available from Diplomat Treasures.

19th century Chinese reverse painting. Available from Hongman Yang.

Decorative Chinese white copper teapot, does not tarnish. Available from John Cserny Fine Arts.

Chinese New Year 2017

This coming Saturday, 28 January marks the first day of Chinese New Year. New Year is also known as the “Spring Festival” in China and is the longest and most important holiday there. The New Year’s festivities end two weeks later on the 15th day of the first month and this day is known as the Lantern Festival. London's festivities are the biggest celebrations outside Asia and every year, hundreds of thousands of people head to Chinatown to wish each other "Xin Nian Kuai Le" (Happy New Year in Mandarin) or "San Nin Faai Lok" (in Cantonese). Find out more about events happening in London this weekend here.

2017 is the year of the fire rooster - each Chinese New Year is characterised by one of 12 animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac - which symbolises loyalty, commitment, hard work and family values amongst other values.

Alfies has several dealers who stock high calibre Chinese and Asian Antiques, such as Horner Antiques who has a keen eye for detail in oriental porcelain and is based on the ground floor, and Hongman Yang, who is based on the first floor and deals in a variety of items, including paintings and jewellery as well as ceramics.

Here are some of our favourite pieces:

Large Famille Noir Chinese Vase - Dragons Chasing Through Flowers, 1st Republic. From Horner Antiques.

Chinese 'Blanc de Chine' of a deity holding a peach. From Horner Antiques.

Chinese blue and white plum flower ginger jar with wooden lid. From Hongman Yang.

Chinese tea caddy Qianlong period. From Diplomat Treasures International.

20th century bowl with rooster. From Hongman Yang.

Chinese New Year: Year Of The Monkey

Celebrate Chinese New Year With Alfies- Year Of The Monkey

Chinese New Year is the most important Chinese festival celebrated at the turn of the traditional luni-solar Chinese calendar. This year it lands on Monday 8th January, the year of the Monkey. It is also known as the Spring Festival, which is the literal translation of the modern Chinese name. Celebrations traditionally start on the evening preceding the first day and continue to the Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first calendar month.

The New Year festival is centuries old and gains significance because of several myths and traditions. Traditionally, the festival was a time to honour deities as well as ancestors. Regional customs and traditions vary widely, traditionally the evening after Chinese New Year's Day is an occasion for families to gather for the annual reunion dinner. It is also traditional for every family to clean the house, to make way for good luck throughout the year. Windows and doors will be decorated with red colour paper-cuts with popular themes of good fortune, happiness, wealth, and longevity. Other traditional celebrations include firecrackers and giving money in red paper envelopes.

Taken by Alfies staff at Longleat- Chinese Festival Of Lights Display

At Alfies we have a wide range of not only beautiful Asian antiques, but a wonderful array of animal themed collectables too, to suit your Chinese zodiac sign.

1860 'The Marmozettes' original print, available from Moe Heidarieh

A beautiful Chinese 1st Republic (1912-1920) double lidded pot for making soup, available from Horner Antiques

An unusual selection of 1920s silver marked monkey brooches, available from Zeeba Jewels

1860-1880 Buddha snuff scoop carved from cow bone, available from Horner Antiques

A wonderful carved wood African Monkey Dance mask, one of a pair, from Cameroun, available from The Moderns

Hand painted Imari vase made in Canton, c1825, available from Horner Antiques

Taken by Alfies staff at Longleat, Chinese Festival Of Lights

Taken by Alfies staff at Longleat, Chinese Festival Of Lights

Taken by Alfies staff at Longleat, Chinese Festival Of Lights

Year of the Horse

Chinese New Year is on the 31st of January and 2014 is the Year of the Horse. It is considered a fortunate year that brings luck and speedy success.

Why not treat yourself to a horse keepsake to welcome in the New Year. Here's a selection of horses (and horse themed items) we spotted around Alfies:

Vintage brooch offered by The Originals

"Horses of Britain" book, from the "Britain in Picture" series from 1941 onwards. Offered by The Originals.

1950s Celluloid horse shoe horn, Japan. Offered by Carole Collier

Vintage horse brooch offered by Carole Collier

1930s Oil painting, jumping horses. Offered by Peran Dachinger's Fine Art

Mid Century Vase, West Germany. Offered by Robinson's Antiques

Victorian silver brooches. Offered by Naneen Brooks

Classic Gucci horsebit design, 18ct yellow gold. Offered by Gareth Brooks

18ct Tie pin depicting a racehorse, Essex crystal. c1900. Offered by Kieron Rielly.