19TH CENTURY

Details

A RARE SET OF SIX PLAQUES FROM A CELADON JADE BOOK
19TH CENTURY
Comprising six double-sided pale greyish-green translucent jade rectangular plaques incised and gilded on either side in clerical script with various sutras, the front cover incised with a pair of descending five-clawed dragons confronting a rectangular cartouche inscribed Yu Zhi Qing Wen Fan Yi Quan Cang Jing Xu (Preface to the complete translation of Tibetan sutras into Manchu), the scene set against a dense ground of swirling clouds and above a central rocky outcropping emerging from crashing waves, the back cover incised with an overall design of swirling clouds
5 7/8 x 3¼ in. (14.8 x 8.2 cm.), fitted wood box (6)

Provenance

Collection of a former Japanese Governor General of Korea.
Acquired in Tokyo, 1950s.

Lot Essay

The text is a précis of the translation of Tibetan sutras into Manchu. The work was first undertaken after the guisi year of the Qianlong reign (1773) in response to the Emperor's gratitude to Heaven in having granted him a long life. This preface refers to achievements as being gained through Heaven's mandate and devotion to Buddha, and how the Manchu text will help to propagate Buddhism. As the text praises both Qianlong and Jiaqing, the dating of this book is more likely to be Daoguang period.

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