Lot 93
93
A rare and large silver and gold damascened iron stand
A rare and large silver and gold damascened iron stand

TIBET, 15TH CENTURY

Details
A rare and large silver and gold damascened iron stand
Tibet, 15th Century
In the form of a ring held in the open jaws of three dragons issuing 'S'-curved legs, their heads crisply modeled in relief with horns and elaborately pleated mane terminating in leafy scrolls turned upward from tightly arched necks and surmounted by three smiling skulls forming supports, the legs correspondingly decorated with silver damascened skulls alternating with gilt scrolls of flames and bands of leafy silver tendrils on the inside legs, terminating in scroll-tip feet, the ring decorated with a frieze of cash patterns in silver between gold rim borders, inscribed on the upper side of the ring Chopon ("Master of Offerings")
24.5/8 in. (62.5 cm.) high

Lot Essay

Stands of this type and large size, which would have served for ritual purposes to support a vessel, are very rare. Compare a miniature example of gilt bronze and bearing a Yongle mark, sold in our New York rooms, 26 March 1996, lot 148.