Lot 0096

AN EMBROIDERED SILK CORAL-GROUND 'ELEPHANT' ALTAR FRONTAL 19th century

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AN EMBROIDERED SILK CORAL-GROUND 'ELEPHANT' ALTAR FRONTAL 19th century

Item Details

Description

AN EMBROIDERED SILK CORAL-GROUND 'ELEPHANT' ALTAR FRONTAL
19th century
The panel of rectangular shape, delicately embroidered in polychrome floss silk and couched gilt threads to depict a central caparisoned elephant supporting a vase of auspicious objects on its back, surrounded by floral sprays of blossoming peonies, lotus, narcissi and cruciform ruyi clouds, all beneath a pelmet with two side cartouches decorated with entwined gourds, lotus and ruyi flanking a central Shou medallion enclosed within sinuous chilong, framed and glazed.
102cm (40 1/8in) wide x 82cm (32 2/8in) high.
Footnotes:
十九世紀紅地刺繡太平有象紋桌圍

Published, Illustrated and Exhibited: Roger Keverne Ltd., Winter Exhibition, London, 2003, no.118.

展覽著錄： Roger Keverne Ltd.，《冬季展覽》，倫敦，2003年，編號118

The present lot is replete with auspicious symbolism. The 'vase' (ping 瓶) which puns with 'peace' (ping 平), and elephant (xiang 象) which also means 'sign' or 'portent', forms a rebus for the phrase taiping youxiang (太平有象), meaning 'Where there is peace, there is an omen (or elephant)'. See also a Court painting dating to the Qianlong reign, 'Ten Thousand Envoys Come to Pay Tribute' depicts an elephant carrying a vase as part of a tribute procession, illustrated by C.Ho and B.Bronson, Splendors of China's Forbidden City: The Glorious Reign of Emperor Qianlong, London, 2004, pls.80-82.

The elephant is one of the auspicious symbols of Buddhism - an attribute of royalty, associated with Puxian, the Bodhisattva of Universal Benevolence, and the personification of Perfect Activity and Happiness, who is often shown seated on a white elephant. The elephant also symbolises the tamed and strong mind of the Buddhist practitioner.

Compare with a related coral-ground altar frontal, 19th century, in the collection of the Minneapolis Museum of Art. Minnesota, (acc.no.42.8.288).

Condition

Textile mounted on a wood board and examined within its frame; some stains, some discoloured areas, pulling of the tread and possible small restorations.