Page 27 - Bonhams, FIne Chinese Art, Linda Wrigglesworth Collection, May 13, 2021 London

17 *

A RARE FAMILLE ROSE RUBY-RED-
GROUND BUDDHIST STUPA
18th century
The shrine modelled with a shaped niche,
finely decorated and gilt with scrolling lotus
below monster masks linked by pendent
beaded chains, the stupa supported on
a square base decorated with alternating
bands of lappets and floral scrolls on a ruby-
red ground, surmounted by a tiered spire
of thirteen graduated Buddhist umbrellas
alternating with narrow floral bands, crowned
with a later cloisonné enamel canopy and
finial decorated with Buddhist symbols, lotus
blossoms and musical chimes.
44cm (17 1/2in) high. (3).

£8,000 - 12,000
CNY72,000 - 110,000

十八世紀 胭脂紅地粉彩纏枝紋佛塔

Symbolic of nirvana, stupas represent the past
and the present, and were originally memorial
monuments built over the mortal remains of
Buddha Shakyamuni and other important
figures. The unique architectural form of the
present example blends Indian and Tibetan
features. The square base, for example,
is Tibetan in style and represents Mount
Sumeru, while the rounded dome is Indian in
origin. The harmika, consisting of a conical
spire of thirteen layers, symbolises the thirteen
stages of Enlightenment.

A related ruby-ground stupa rising from a
yellow-ground base, 18th century, in the Qing
Court Collection, is illustrated in Dihuang Yu
Gongting Ciqi vol.2, Beijing, 2010, p.359.

Compare with a related famille rose stupa,
Qianlong, which was sold at Christie’s
London, 10 May 2011, lot 295.

For details of the charges payable in addition to the final Hammer Price of each Lot
please refer to paragraphs 7 & 8 of the Notice to Bidders at the back of the catalogue. FINE CHINESE ART | 25