IRON-RED QIANLONG SIX-CHARACTER SEAL MARKS AND OF THE PERIOD (1736-95)

Details

A PAIR OF RARE FAMILLE ROSE ALTAR EMBLEMS
IRON-RED QIANLONG SIX-CHARACTER SEAL MARKS AND OF THE PERIOD (1736-95)
Each comprising a flat openwork foliate stem issuing from a ribboned vase and raised on a shallow tiered domed base, surmounted by a circular pad moulded with lotus petals and ruyi variously supporting an elephant and a horse, representing two of the Qi Zheng Bao, Seven Treasures, each with a blanket and lotus 'saddle', the animals naturalistically enamelled, the stands brightly enamelled with stylised 'Indian lotus', extremity chips and chips restuck
10 in. (25.5 cm.) high (4)

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Lot Essay

The elephant and horse, symbols of military force and speed, are part of the Seven Treasures, Qi Zheng Bao, the seven indispensable symbols for good governance. According to the Dayuan jing (Mahapadana Sutta), Zhuanlun Shengwang (Cakka-vatti), the World Ruler or “Turner of the Wheel”, is the possessor of the Seven Treasures. After his birth, Chakka-vatti traverses the Four Continents accompanied by the first treasure, chkkaratana, the Wheel, and after receiving the allegiance of all inhabitants and admonished them to lead the righteous life, other Treasures make their appearance: first the Elephant, next the Horse, then the Veluriya gem, the Woman, the Treasurer and the Adviser. The elephant and the horse would have been attached to the support with wooden pegs, and each would originally have had a vase or a flaming jewel on its back, which is now lost. A set of the Seven Treasures made with champleaè enamels from the Summer Palace at Zhengde, is illustrated in Buddhist Art from Rehol, no. 69, p. 160.

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