Chinese Incense wrappers

One of the offerings at Chinese temples are sticks of incense, or "Joss Sticks" as they are known in the west. There are a huge variety to choose from. The sticks  come in different lengths and thicknesses They can be  as thin as a straw [ the most common] , to as thick and long as a man's arm [only found at large festivals] . They are also sold in bundles of varying size, each containing a few tens, to massive loads containing  hundreds. There are many brands. Each has its own label.

The incense sticks are typically wrapped in yellow cellophane, with a paper label under the cellophane showing brand information. Such an arrangement, albeit without the incense, is shown here. 

AAAA 正檀香-- AAAA Zheng Tanxiang 

AAAA brand Authentic sandalwood incense. 

The paper label, removed from its cellophane.The female figure is Guanyin, the Bodhisattva of mercy. Below is an inscription in [I think] Vietnamese. I will be glad if any reader will tell me what it means. 

佛緣富貴檀香- Fo Yuan Fugui Tanxiang 

" Fo Yuan" prosperity sandalwood incense 

Fo Yuan, 佛缘 is presumably the brand's name. Fo yuan is a Buddhist term of art, signifying [roughly] the relationship between the practitioner and the Buddha. [ Chinese article on the subject]. 

Again, Guanyin is depicted on the label.  The eight objects floating on clouds below her are the symbols of the Eight immortals of Chinese mythology. They form a border round the name of the incense. 

The horizontal text on the bottom says 香細烟少-- Xiang Xi, Yan Shao. "This incense is slender, and produces little smoke" 

 萬和行/ 觀音香王  Wan He Hang/ Guanyin Xiang Wang 

Wan He company/ Guanyin King of Incense. 

The name Wan He means "Myriad Harmony" in Chinese. Its English name, Wan He Joss paper trading is found on the bottom of the label. Again, Guanyin is depicted on the label.

Four Chinese characters are found in the bottom-right corner. They are 環保健康-- Huanbao Jiankang "Environmentally friendly and Healthy"/ 

Floral paper

A New year, and finally a new post. Here is a fine floral wrapping-paper. For some reason the design incorporates deer. 

Sprinkled paper

This particular example of sprinkled paper was purchased in London some years ago. When purchased, it was already several decades old. It is clearly of a kindred nature to a trickled paper already featured here The paper is a cloudy pattern, made in gray, green and red. The paper itself is deteriorated and brittle.

Papers of this sort remind one of the papers manufactured by Edward Seymour's Fancy paper company. Perhaps it was made by that institution?

Indonesian blankbook (5)

Another Indonesian blankbook, this one from a company called  OKEY. It is covered in a striking "Parang" motif from batik.  Books of this long format are rare, but not unheard of.

Geometric paper

Another decorated paper, this one from Singapore. It is best described as a sort of hexagonal lattice. It is of approximately the same age as the blankbook featured here. Indeed, the author saw this paper on the cover of one of the blankbooks in the bindery. 

Indonesian blankbook (4)

Yet another pocket-sized Indonesian blankbook, this time printed in a fiery shade of red. This particular example is made by Gelatik Kembar of Semerang, Java. Their name refers to the Padda, or Java sparrow, known as Gelatik in Indonesian. You can see a pair of these birds on the cover.

This maker is evidently of some renown. Googling the name "Gelatik Kembar", you find all manner of online shops,selling similar books. Aside from making these beautifully patterned blankbooks, the company also seems to make all manner of paper stationery.

Florist's wrapping paper ( 2)

Yet another example of the genre of florist's wrapping paper. Printed on a thin, but glossy paper like the rest, this particular example shows a subtle pattern in black and blue.  The dark colors would form a pleasing contrast to the brilliant bouquets that these papers are intended to protect.