+Chinese 1900 Qing Dynasty Bodhisattva Altar Temple-Pagoda In Wood And Carvings
Buddhist altar temple-pagoda from the Qing Dynasty (1644-1911).
Fabulous and very rare, East Asian, Buddhist Altar Temple-Pagoda. It was created in China during the late Qing Dynasty to early Republic Period, circa late 19th to early 20th century. This is a beautiful, oversized and monumental carving of a Buddhist temple altar pagoda-house, made in a tall and rectangular form, that rest on rounded four-legs carved with demon's faces. In general is composed by two parts, with a superstructure of three-tiers carved to show on top, a seated Bodhisattva flanked-guarded by two others in different positions. Mounted at the sides, with a pair of scrolling detailed cantilever handles carved with dragons with the mythical pearl.
The sober temple bears four lengthy walls adorned with applique people, dragons, clouds, and birds surrounding a smaller pagoda, and the lower panels beneath it bear images of flowers and branch-dwelling birds.
The sloped curved roof part, is removable in one piece to discover a hidden rectangular compartment-box. It is lined with petite tiles design, with projecting three dimensional elements on each of the four corners, and a lining of openwork dragons along the topmost crest. A superb and magnificent antique piece!
This temple is one of the most beautiful and best realized that we have seen in our extensive research. The size is great, the quality of the carvings and the finishes are magnificent and in addition to all this, the degree of preservation is perfect with all its pieces and parts intact
Period: Late Qing dynasty (1644-1911).
Measures: 615 mm by 231 mm by 692 mm (24.2 x 9.10 x 27.25 Inches).
Techniques: Carved elements, individually assembled, woods base.
Weight: About 60 Pounds (27.21 Kg).
The Qing Dynasty
Officially the Great Qing, was the Manchu-led last dynasty in the imperial history of China. It was proclaimed in 1636 in Manchuria (modern-day Northeast China), in 1644 entered Beijing, extended its rule to cover all of China proper, and then extended the empire into Central Asia. The dynasty lasted until 1912. In orthodox Chinese historiography, the Qing dynasty was preceded by the Ming dynasty and succeeded by the Republic of China. The multiethnic Qing empire lasted for almost three centuries and assembled the territorial base for modern China. It was the largest Chinese dynasty and in 1790 the fourth largest empire in world history in terms of territorial size. With a population of 432 million in 1912, it was the world's most populous country at the time.
The Qing Dynasty Decorative Arts
Many craftsmen worked in the imperial court, producing artifacts for palace use: everything from items of jewelry art to beautiful Chinese lacquerware, including lacquered imperial thrones: see, for instance, the Qing Dynasty Imperial Throne (1775-80, Victoria and Albert Museum, London). The Imperial Household Department managed a number of crafts workshops both within the Forbidden City and outside it. Some of the skilled workers and master craftsmen were on permanent duty, like those in the imperial glass factory established in 1696 under the direction of the German Jesuit Kilian Stumpf (1655-1720). Other experts in gemstones carving, horn and jade sculpture and metallurgy were summoned to Beijing for a specific period of service.
Condition: The overall condition of this piece is excellent. Beside the little normal wear, there is no damage to any part. All elements are secured in the settings. This piece has been carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and authenticity.
INVENTORY REF: D070923ENNM/.1111
