Hand-painted Butterflies & Flowers End Table

Details: Add a vibrant dash of Oriental panache to your decor with this beautiful storage cabinet. The two doors and convenient upper drawer are intricately hand-painted by the artisan with exotic butterfly, peach and floral motifs. In Chinese thought, butterflies represent change, rebirth and duality. Zhuangzi (370- 300 B.C.E.), a Taoist poet and philosopher, wrote "I once dreamed I was a butterfly fluttering here and there... But did I really dream of the butterfly? Or is the butterfly now dreaming of me?" A legendary story describes a tale of two lovers, Zhu Yintai and Liang Shanbo, who die under tragic circumstances and later find each other as reincarnated butterflies. Peaches, the main ingredient in an ancient immortality elixir, are symbols of longevity. The vibrantly hand-painted flowers are lotuses, known for their ability to bloom in murky ponds, symbolizing that beauty and success can still grow out of harsh circumstances. Gold Shanxi style patterns adorn the front perimeter. In concert with traditional Chinese artisan techniques, "tongfen" or bronze powder is added to the paint to provide extra gleam. The brilliant crimson base is also hand-painted by the artisan. Constructed of sturdy natural wood, this eye-catching creation is sure to be a treasured accent piece for years to come.