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Lot Essay
The present three emblems are part of the Seven Treasures or the Seven Regal Symbols, qizhengbao, which according to the Buddhist Sutra, were brought to earth by the Universal Monarch, the Chakravartin. These symbols are symbolic of the pacifying and protective powers of the Buddha. The Seven Treasures include the Elephant, symbolising sovreignty and great wealth; the Wheel, representing the Buddhist doctrine; the Horse, representing facility in war and transportation; the Wish-Granting Jewel; the Queen who serves as the virtuous wife to the king; the Minister who is responsible for the welfare of the people; and the General who holds authority over the military troops to defend the borders from attack.
It is rare to find this type of altar emblems in ceramic form, and it appears that no complete ceramic sets are published, probably either due to their fragility or limited production. A number of sets of the Seven Treasures were included in A Special Exhibition of Buddhist Gilt Votive Objects, National Palace Museum, Taipei 1995, and illustrated in the Catalogue, no.24 for a set of emblems carved from spinach-green jade; nos.22 and 23 made from gilt-copper; no.25 of gilt-copper and champlevé enamel; and nos.26 and 27, inlaid with semi-precious stones. An enamelled gilt-copper set was included in the exhibition Buddhist Art from Rehol: Tibetan Buddhist Images and Ritual Objects from the Qing Dynasty Summer Palace at Chengde, Chang Foundation and Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts, 1999, illustrated in the Catalogue, no.69.
It is rare to find this type of altar emblems in ceramic form, and it appears that no complete ceramic sets are published, probably either due to their fragility or limited production. A number of sets of the Seven Treasures were included in A Special Exhibition of Buddhist Gilt Votive Objects, National Palace Museum, Taipei 1995, and illustrated in the Catalogue, no.24 for a set of emblems carved from spinach-green jade; nos.22 and 23 made from gilt-copper; no.25 of gilt-copper and champlevé enamel; and nos.26 and 27, inlaid with semi-precious stones. An enamelled gilt-copper set was included in the exhibition Buddhist Art from Rehol: Tibetan Buddhist Images and Ritual Objects from the Qing Dynasty Summer Palace at Chengde, Chang Foundation and Kaohsiung Museum of Fine Arts, 1999, illustrated in the Catalogue, no.69.