LARGE ANTIQUE CHINESE SIGNBOARD

A client made a request for a large screen or group of screens to be mounted over her king size bed instead of using a conventional headboard.

While taking a group through the factories  - I headed to a floor I had not seen in years.  There mounted high up on the wall was this huge signboard.  So dirty and dusty but I knew immediately that it would be just the thing.  

The client looked into the meaning of the symbols...   " let's say long time ago, this board was hung in the family room of a big house, it could mean that the family (family tree) would become prosperous, flourishing, proud, and grow strong. "

These are very hard to come by which keeps the price on the higher side.  I sold this for $9980 HK / US $1286.  I would guess it's worth 3-4 times that.

More that I found on the Internet for comparison pricing and quality.

Northern China, 19th century

Hung in the home of a prosperous individual, this 19th century

Chinese carved and gilt sign of honor has characters bestowing

wishes of "achievement" and "success" to the recipient

US$ 5280

18th Century

Chinese calligraphy panel honoring advancement to the second level of the National Civil Service Exam. Dated 11th year of Emperor Tung Zi of Ching Dynasty.

US$ 1600

Canton, China 19th century

A 19th century Chinese lacquered and painted shop sign with

"Tea" and "Leaves" characters carved in relief.

height: 6 ft. 4 in.
depth: 2 in.
width/length: 26 in.

US$2580

 Shanxi Province, China   c. 1850

A 19th century Chinese lacquered elmwood sign of honor with

central characters bestowing eternal youth to a successful

man on his 60th birthday.

height: 35 in.
depth: 2 in. width/length: 7 ft. 8 in

US$3,680

Northern China     c. 1850

A 19th century carved Chinese elmwood sign of honor awarded

to a gentleman on his 80th birthday. The large characters in

the center read from right to left, "Happiness", "Long Life,

"Accompanied by", and "Dynasty." Loosely translated the sign

is honoring the recipient for his long joyous life and prosperous

family. The carved characters at the bottom are the names of all

the people who presented the sign.

height: 34.5 in.
depth: 2.5 in. width/length: 5 ft. 5 in

US $3,280

 

China  19th Century

A grand 19th century Northern Chinese carved and lacquered sign

of honor which translates as "High Moral, Far-Reaching Impact",

presented to an important man who's moral values were felt

amongst all members of the community. The sign hung in the

family's ancestral hall out of respect for all of the recipient's

ancestors.

height: 42.5 in.
depth: 1.5 in. width/length: 7 ft. 2 in.

US $4,380