A gilt-copper altar emblem Qing dynasty
619
Various Owners
A gilt-copper altar emblem
Qing dynasty
An emblem of columnar form, surmounted by a flamed shaped mandorla finely cast with a central horse medallion derived from the Seven Treasures, Qizhenbao, all raised on two stacked mid-sections of baluster form rising from a flared base, decorated with bands of ruyi lappets around the neck and the base, the body with an inscription on each of the six facets flanked by an elaborate pair of pierced foliate half butterfly handles.
35.6cm high.
Sold for HK$ 37,500 inc. premium

Footnotes

  • The current lot resonates well with the dictum of the Seven Treasures, often referred to as the Seven Regal Symbols, qizhengbao. The Seven Treasures include the horse, which contributes to the inspiration behind the present lot representing facility in war and transportation, the elephant, analogous to sovereignty and wealth, the wheel, representing the Buddhist doctrine, the wish granting jewel, the queen who serves as the virtuous wife to the king, the minister who is responsible for the welfare of the people and the general who holds authority over the military troops to defend the borders from attack. These representations are symbolic of the protective powers of the Buddha. A comparable sets of the Seven Treasures was included in the Special exhibition of Buddhist gilt votive objects, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1995, and a set of emblems made from gilt-copper is illustrated in the Catalogue, nos. 22 and 23.

    清 銅鎏金寶瓶法器

Category: Asian Art / Chinese Works of Art

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