Qinghai bow with unusual decoration

Peter Dekker · Post by **Peter Dekker** » Thu Apr 10, 2008 8:37 am

Hi,

I was recently pointed to a seller that had a Chinese bow, probably of Qinghai manufacture from the looks and size of it. It is however, if much better workmanship than the majority Qinghai bows encountered.

The unusual part is the decoration, it has painted birch-bark covering that is more fancy than what is usually encountered on Qinghai bows. Next to that it has hearts, clubs and diamonds and spades painted near each ear. These are identical to those found on Western playing cards. The bow has some age doesn't appear to be very old, probably somewhere around mid. 20th cent.

I am wondering if any has seen this decoration before and if it may have to do with some kind of "bow gambling" game?

-Peter

Stephen Selby · Post by **Stephen Selby** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 3:03 am

No, I've never seen that (and I've seen a lot of those bows.) The Tibetans may regard the card suits and tokens of good luck.