A crystal sphere on a silver and shibuichi stand
A crystal sphere on a silver and shibuichi stand

Meiji period (late 19th century)

細節
A crystal sphere on a silver and shibuichi stand
Meiji period (late 19th century)
The crystal sphere set on a silver dragon finely cast and chiseled, supported on a Chinese style incense stand constructed in sections in silver and shibuichi, with high waist set on four tapering cabriole legs and lion-head pads, the top of base pierced with a roundel of coiled phoenix
14 ¼ in. (36.2 cm.) high

拍品專文

The dragon is associated with a wealth of legend and symbolism in old Japan, signifying both the holy nature of Shinto and the wisdom of Buddhism. Representations of the dragon are found from the earliest historical period, wall paintings in the stone tomb chambers of the Kofun period (4th - 7th centuries) together with tiger, phoenix, and gryphon. In Shinto mythology the deity Ryujin is a dragon who lives under the sea and bears a jewel that controls the tides. In esoteric Buddhism, the dragon and the sword indicate the rope and double-edged sword of Fudo Myo-o.
For a silver ornament of a dragon and crystal ball see Joe Earle, Splendors of Meiji, Treasures of Imperial Japan, Masterpieces from the Khalili Collection (St. Petersburg, Fla.: Broughton International, Inc., 1999), pl. 135.

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