POSSIBLY MACAU, CHINA, 17TH-18TH CENTURY

Details

A Chinese Mother-of-Pearl Inlaid Wood Apostle Cross
Possibly Macau, China, 17th-18th century
Of wood, inlaid with incised mother-of-pearl to depict fruiting vines, lotus, small flowers and foliage, the ends inlaid with foliate scrolls and centred by a lotus flower
60cm. high

Literature

Kyushu National Museum ed., Kaikan tokubetsu shuppin seihin senshu (A special inaugural exhibition
catalogue), (Fukuoka, 2005), cat. no. 116.

Exhibited

Kaikan tokubetsu shuppin seihin senshu (A special inaugural exhibition), Kyushu National Museum, 2005

Special notice

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. These lots have been imported from outside the EU for sale using a Temporary Import regime. Import VAT is payable (at 5%) on the Hammer price. VAT is also payable (at 20%) on the buyer’s Premium on a VAT inclusive basis. When a buyer of such a lot has registered an EU address but wishes to export the lot or complete the import into another EU country, he must advise Christie's immediately after the auction.

Lot Essay

The three upper terminals of the cross correspond to a design known as the cross botonée, used in Western heraldry as well as religious art – where the three lobes are said to represent the Trinity.
See http:/www.seiyaku.com/customs/crosses/budded.html

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