ANTONIA ( TUPPY ) LAWSON'S CERAMIC ART & SCULPTURE
VILLAGE DEITY
Village Deity
VILLAGE DEITY H 41”x W 20”x D18”
This girl is a village
deity who reminds me of the Hakka women who would work the fields
planting rice in the New Territories or sell vegetables in Tai Po
market. They wore dark colours and had wonderful large coned hats to
protect them from the beating sun. In this sculpture hanging from the
four corners of the hat are bunches of Choi Sum symbolizing a good
harvest. These Choi Sum are strung on threads with gold coral and jade
colored beads. In the Chinese Empire jade was considered the most noble
of all gems it was given the name yü, "precious stone" or “treasure”.
As a kid I would come back from Tai Po market carrying bunches of Choi
Sum that were tried together with a piece of raffia or jute. The way it
would hang down and swing inspired the vegetables hanging from her hat.
