AN EXTREMELY RARE CLOISONNE ENAMEL SHELL

Details

AN EXTREMELY RARE CLOISONNE ENAMEL SHELL
QIANLONG PERIOD (1736-1795)

Naturalistically modelled with twisting convex bands in imitation of a conch shell, decorated around the exterior in coloured enamels on a dark lapis blue ground with various species of fish, crustaceans and shells interspersed by lotus leaves and flowers emerging from a pond, the interior with a scroll and three pearls among turbulent waves and wispy clouds on a light turquoise ground
6 1/4 in. (15.9 cm.) wide, wood stand

Provenance

Cohen & Cohen, London.

Lot Essay

The subject of a conch shell in cloisonn/ae enamel appears to be very rare, if not unique. The conch shell, sankha, is one of the Eight Buddhist Emblems, symbolising the fame of Buddha's teachings. Conch shell horns were used in Buddhist ceremonies during the Qing period.

A conch shell carved with lotus designs supported on a very similar stand in the National Palace Museum, Taipei is illustrated in Emperor Ch-ien-lung's Grand Cultural Enterprise, Taipei, 2002, p. 49, no. I-36.

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