A RARE SINO-TIBETAN RITUAL APRON

Notice Regarding the Sale of Material from Endange… Read more

ANOTHER PROPERTY

Details

A RARE SINO-TIBETAN RITUAL APRON
QING DYNASTY, 18TH CENTURY

The embroidered silk apron satin stitched to depict pairs of carp rising above turbulent waves supported by lotus blooms, and below a basket containing a 'flaming jewel', all amidst precious objects, bats in flight and swirling clouds flanked by a pair of flying horses, the waist band couch-stitched in gold and silver threads with a pair of confronted dragons; embellished with an elaborate lattice network of stained ivory beading suspending from thirteen plaques at the waist, each depicting a tantric deity, above floral medallions and a row of auspicious lion-heads, kirtimukha, or face of glory, suspending tassels (fabric faded with signs of wear)
36 x 42 in. (93 x 107 cm.) wide

Provenance

General Walter Fane (1828-1885) by descent

Special notice

Notice Regarding the Sale of Material from Endangered Species. Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country

Lot Essay

Compare with similar beaded jewellery chains which appear to be part of a ritual costume, with its related crown, in the National Palace Museum, Taibei, illustrated in Great National Treasures of China, Masterworks in the National Palace Museum, Taiwan, 2001, p. 198, no. 103. Costumes of this type were worn by Tibetan lamas during ceremonies for exorcising demons, ibid.

Other related Tibetan and Nepalese ritual aprons are published, cf. Tibet: Tradition & Change, The Albuquerque Museum, 1997-98, pl. 85, and a Nepalese example illustrated in Rituels tibétains, Visions secrétes du Ve Dali Lama, Réunion des Musées Nationaux, 2002-3, no. 148. The present example with its Chinese embroidered backing and carving style suggest that it was probably made in China and used for Lamaist rituals.

More from The Imperial Sale, Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art

View All