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| Knocker Base (Pushou) |
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The two-leafed gate of a traditional Chinese house has a pair of
ring knockers, whose base, called pushou, serves also a decorative
purpose.
The knocker-bases for a private house are fixed only on the outermost,
more solidly built gate. They are normally simple discs made of
iron or brass. People who call at the house will tap one of the
rings lightly, which will hit the base to produce clear percussions.
In answer to the sound, the people of the house will come to open
the door to greet the visitor. When the owner of the house goes
out he can lock up the gate by fastening the knocker-rings together.
The knocker bases on palace gates, naturally, are much more elaborate.
Made of gold-gilded brass, they are in the form of tigers, lions,
turtles, snakes or other animals which were supposed to possess
magic powers or unequalled strength. The consummate are with which
they were carved also contribute to the splendor of the edifices.
Pushou first appeared in China during the Han Dynasty (206 B.C.-
220 A.D.) and have had a history of 2,000 years. Today they still
decorate the house newly built in the countryside, but they are
disappearing in the cities where modern multistoried buildings
are being constructed in increasing numbers.
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