Pewter tableware items in Chinese architecture designs

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Mandarin is a collection that gives a modern twist to traditional patterns. The design inspiration comes from decorative latticework screens commonly seen in courtyard houses in China. The design is created by crossing the strips to form a decorative network.

Courtyard houses are a typical form of classical Chinese architecture and believed to be constructed as early as the Ming Dynasty (1368 - 1644AD). A standard courtyard home features an open internal courtyard, enclosed by rooms on all four sides.

Other than the latticework, the motifs used in the frames are designs of cracked ice, stylised swastika and diamonds.

As the name suggests, the Ice Photo Frames contain lines of different lengths that that make the edges which, resembles cracked ice.

The Fire Photo Frame has designs of a stylised swastika. The swastika symbol not only represents flame but is also a sacred symbol in Hinduism and Buddhism. It is also a favourite ornament in China and Japan representing prosperity and good luck. The Chinese in the olden days placed the swastika on the front door to protect the household from evil spirits. It is also a symbol for longevity as the swastika is a stylised writing of the Chinese character wan which means ten thousand.

Similar to the Ice Photo Frame and the Fire Photo Frame, the Diamond Photo Frame has diamond shaped motifs at the edges. Diamond is another popular motif used on lattice screens.