Wayfair |
The first choice for a wedding gift in the blue & white family is something with the double happiness symbol. According to Jan-Erik Nilsson, an expert on Chinese pottery and porcelain, the Chinese character "shuang xi" is the recognized symbol for "wedded bliss." Furthermore, the decoration of sweet pea vines symbolizes "forever" and "many children."
An eBay search for "double happiness jar" can help you find an antique gift, or you can purchase a beautiful new jar in our host's shop or a set from Wisteria. I also really dig that platter from Wayfair!
Christies / Amazon / Overstock |
Bed Bath & Beyond |
The oldest china pattern still in production is Blue Willow. This platter is from Bed Bath & Beyond; however, Blue Willow is sold just about everywhere (Overstock, JCP, even Wal-Mart); prices can vary so it pays to shop around.
Crate and Barrel |
Horchow |
Zinc Door |
Wayfair |
Crate and Barrel |
Target |
Etsy |
Bliss Home & Design /Amaryllis Bulb Co. / Source Collection |
What is your favorite wedding gift that you have received or given?
great post! i'm a collector of double happiness :) love the symbol and every thing it stands for :)
ReplyDeleteI love blue and white pottery...One of my favorites!
ReplyDeleteLots of great blue and white goodies. I really love that Crate and Barrel plate.
ReplyDeleteThose jardinieres from the Amaryllis Bulb Company would make such a great gift! Thanks for the tips!
ReplyDeleteXOXO,
The Glam Pad
Those are some great finds! A blue & white umbrella stand is on my wish list! (And I just love that Target tea pot! I hadn't seen it before and now you've got me thinking I need it! Uh oh!)
ReplyDeletehmmmm -- great blue and white finds carrie!
ReplyDeleteLove the umbrella stands. I've always wanted one.
ReplyDeletethese are beautiful finds! i'm now in love with the Marimekko plate... :)
ReplyDeleteOn this entry, I think I love the umbrella stand the best because it is less common for me to come across.
ReplyDeleteMy brother-in-law's very sweet grandmother has a lot of these dishes and the like, and I wonder if she has even ever heard of the double happiness thing. If nothing else, I will know what kinds of things to look for, and where, if we should ever be looking for a present for her.
Certainly the best thing I got out of my wedding was two very precious children, but of course being divorced I'm a little biased against most other wedding gifts that I remember. lol
When my sister got married, I painted them a picture based off a stained glass window from France that depicted the marriage of Tristan and Isolde, with themselves as the wedded couple. In retrospect, considering symbolism, this was a poor choice, considering Isolde was already married to someone else, and that someone else literally stabbed Tristan in the back later. I really should have thought that through! But the window was quite lovely, and the painting, too.