Accession Number
2006/2.41.2B

Title
Longevity Spirit Money, from Taiwan (2 prints)

Artist(s)
Taiwanese

Object Creation Date
20th century

Medium & Support
red ink on paper

Dimensions
12 1/2 in. x 8 1/4 in. ( 31.7 cm x 21 cm )

Credit Line
Gift of Ellen and Richard Laing

Subject matter
This is a block print with red ink. The large Chinese character is "longevity" and the surrounding smaller charactesr translate to "happiness," "blessing," and "wealth." It it a piece of spirit money, which is a kind of imitation money. Spirit money, also known as joss money or heaven money, is typically burned as an offering when worshipping to gods, ghosts, or ancestors. 

Physical Description
Block print with red ink and white space. There is a floral border and in the center of it is one large Chinese character and other smaller characters around it. Two coins are on each side of the large center Chinese character. 

Primary Object Classification
Print

Primary Object Type
color print

Rights
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Keywords
blessing (religious function)
happiness
money (objects)
wealth