An enamelled porcelain rounded rectangular 'abstinence' plaque
18th/19th century
The two main sides each reserved with a cartouche gilt with a two-character inscription, one reading zhai jie, the reverse with the Manchu equivalent, all within deeply-hollowed coiling four-clawed dragons amongst clouds above breaking waves.
8cm (2 3/8in) high
The two main sides each reserved with a cartouche gilt with a two-character inscription, one reading zhai jie, the reverse with the Manchu equivalent, all within deeply-hollowed coiling four-clawed dragons amongst clouds above breaking waves.
8cm (2 3/8in) high
Sold for
£4,800
inc. premium
Footnotes
- Provenance: an English private collection, acquired circa 1950s, and thence by descent
The present plaque is gilt with the characters Zhai jie in Chinese and in Manchu. It is the ceremonial requirement for abstinence prior to worshipping the ancestors, the Heavens or other deities. The abstinence period usually lasted for three days, during which worshippers were to refrain from eating meat and fragrant herbs such as onions, chives, garlic and the like, from consuming alcohol, and from any intimate acts.
Compare a related famille rose 'abstinence' plaque, sold at Christie's New York, 19 September 2007, lot 432.
Category: Asian Art / Chinese Works of Art
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Chinese Works of Art
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Chinese Works of Art