Page 92 - Christies May 9, 2017 Kensington

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A RUBY-RED GROUND FAMILLE ROSE BUDDHIST STUPA
18TH-19TH CENTURY

The impressive shrine is fnely decorated and gilt with scrolling lotus below monster masks linked by
pendant beaded chains. The shrine supports a series of graduated sections, each gilt-separated tier is
decorated with a narrow foral band. The tapering column is surmounted by a beribboned Treasure Vase,
one of the Eight Buddhist Emblems, atop a moulded skirted cap. The stupa supported on a square base
decorated with bands of lappets and foral scrolls on a vivid yellow ground.
17 in. (43 cm.) high

£80,000-120,000 $110,000-150,000
€93,000-140,000

PROVENANCE

Formerly from a private Japanese collection

Stupas are a symbol of Nirvana, and they represent the past and the present. They were originally
memorial monuments built over the mortal remains of the Sakyamuni, and other important fgures.
Regarding the architectural form of the present piece, the square Mt. Sumeru base is Tibetan in style,
while the rounded dome has its roots in India. The spire of thirteen layers is symbolic of the thirteen
stages of enlightenment. This type of object had a ritual function at the Qing Court frequented by
Tibetan monks. An example of a red-ground shrine and yellow-ground pedestal like the current lot is in
the Qing Court Collection which is illustrated in Dihuang Yu Gongting Ciqi, vol. 2, Beijing, 2010, p. 359,
pl. 25-14.

A very similar ruby-ground stupa with a green-ground stand dating to the Qianlong period was sold at
Christie’s Hong Kong, 29 April 2002, lot 536.

清十八/十九世紀 胭脂紅地粉彩佛塔
來源：日本私人舊藏

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