Auspicious Pastry Mold Ceramic Chopstick/Pen Rest

〔 Ceramic Pastries 〕 Crafted by pressing ceramic chopstick rests using traditional wooden molds for mung bean cakes, these pieces feature motifs such as pineapples, lotus pods, longevity peaches, scholar hats, plum blossoms, chickens, butterflies, lions, and cicadas. The chopstick rests also carry a homophonic meaning of "hurry to marry" (快嫁 - kuài jià), implying a wish for a swift and happy union. Pastries are often used in offerings to deities and as gifts, as the character for pastry (糕 - gāo) sounds like the character for "high" (高 - gāo), signifying rising prosperity and blessings for one's life. Traditional motifs frequently incorporate auspicious homophones as blessings. Examples include "May you have fish every year" (年年有餘 - nián nián yǒu yú), "May all affairs go smoothly as you wish" (事事如意 - shì shì rú yì, with 'shì' sounding like 'shì' - persimmon), "blessed" butterflies (福 - fú), and pineapples symbolizing prosperity (旺來 - wàng lái). This practice of using homophones remains vibrant in our culture today. Additionally, the designs draw inspiration from the inherent qualities of animals and plants, such as the resilience of plum blossoms, the protective presence of lions warding off misfortune, the symbolism of fertility in lotus pods, and the longevity associated with turtles, all serving as aspirations to pursue. The surfaces are finished with glazes of varying colors and textures, presenting either an antique or a novel visual aesthetic. These pieces are wonderfully suited as housewarming gifts, opening gifts for new businesses, small wedding favors, or for personal collection.