Page 137 - Christie's London Fine Chinese Ceramics Nov. 2019

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better explains the inclusion of ornamental rocks alongside support the plaques, which is just as well, since they would
the miniature plants. have been too fragile to survive intact over the years. Each
plaque is, in fact, supported on a carved hardwood stand,
The luxurious nature of this pair of plaques continues in
while the ivory feet do not bear any weight.
their stands, which are exquisitely made of stained ivory,
jade and zitan. The exterior of the trays themselves are These large plaques have been made by very skilled
made of beautifully carved and pierced stained ivory, craftsmen using the most precious materials to create not
while between the trays and the upper part of the stands only items of exceptional brilliance and presence, but also
is a band of wood delicately inlaid with silver wire. The numerous auspicious messages – expressed not only in
upper part of the stand suggests a Buddhist lotus throne the daji characters, but in the careful choice of motifs in
and is decorated with descending lotus petals, flled with order to provide rebuses wishing the recipient abundance,
white jade lotus fowers framed by green jade foliage. The numerous descendants, the Five Blessings, and longevity.
hexagonal horizontal surface on which these petal panels It would seem likely that such extraordinary plaques would
rest is framed by a miniature stained ivory balustrade, have been commissioned for the birthday of a very important
carved and pierced with archaistic scrolls. Below this, personage. Indeed, this pair of lapis lazuli double gourd
the six feet are joined by a stained ivory apron carved and plaques would have been a ftting gift for the emperor.
pierced with vegetal scrolls. However, these feet do not

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