A VERY RARE RETICULATED INSCRIBED GOLD REPOUSSÉ DEVOTIONAL PLAQUE
A VERY RARE RETICULATED INSCRIBED GOLD REPOUSSÉ DEVOTIONAL PLAQUE
1 More
A VERY RARE RETICULATED INSCRIBED GOLD REPOUSSÉ DEVOTIONAL PLAQUE

DATED BY INSCRIPTION TO THE THIRD YEAR OF THE TONGHE REIGN OF LIAO DYNASTY, CORRESPONDING TO 985 AND OF THE PERIOD

Details
A VERY RARE RETICULATED INSCRIBED GOLD REPOUSSÉ DEVOTIONAL PLAQUE
DATED BY INSCRIPTION TO THE THIRD YEAR OF THE TONGHE REIGN OF LIAO DYNASTY, CORRESPONDING TO 985 AND OF THE PERIOD
4 in. (10 cm.) long
Provenance
A Virginia private collection, since the 1990s, by repute

Lot Essay

During the reign of Emperor Shengzong, the empire reached its zenith. According to the History of Liao, Shengzong, a devout believer of Buddhism, commissioned white gold pagodas, gold statues of Buddha, and gold Buddhist ritual implements. Gold, symbolising eternity in Buddhism, was used lavishly during this period.

The back of the present plaque bears the inscription:
In the third year of the Tonghe reign, from the Upper Capital, Buddhist disciple Wang Kuan devoutly crafted this pure-gold plaque, and reverently consecrated it. May the Dharma Wheel turns eternally; may the Buddha’s doctrine flourish forever.

The present plaque is made of 20k gold and weighs 63 grams.

More from Important Chinese and Asian Works of Art

View All
View All