CHINESE CHARACTER "SHOU" AS A DECORATIVE MOTIF

	The character "shou" is a favourite decorative motif frequently used by chinese potters.  It is written in a great variety of fanciful forms  such as the vase on the top left which is decorated with the the hundred shou  executed in varied calligraphic form.  Another interesting variation is twisting the trunk of a pine tree (which is symbolic of longevity) into the shape of shou.  The example on the top right depicts an  underglaze cobalt  blue pine tree twisted into the charactor shou.  Another interesting example is the twisted trunk of the peach tree which is shaped into shou (as shown on the bottom left famille verte enamelled plate ).  Notice also it is grouped with the lingzhi fungus and the rock which are symbols of longevity. Another intriguing example on top shows the god of longevity at the centre of the character shou on the left. It is also interesting to note the use of knots as part of the decorative element on the cup (bottom right).  The knot is a sign of longevity as it appears endless.