Round porcelain hatstand decorated with peonies and two birds. The hidden meaning of these two birds known as ‘bulbuls’ (baitouweng) and peony (fuguihua) is ‘May husband and wife reach a great age together in harmony and may they become wealthy and of a high status (fugui baitou)’. The ‘bulbul’ has a white skull cap which symbolizes Old Age. The peony is known as the flower of Wealth and Rank (fuguihua). There is an inscription on the top of the stand. Normally these hat stands come in pairs, but the other one is missing. While at home, a man would leave his hats on stands like this which dates from around 1900. Height 28.2 cm. Diameter12.2 cm.