A FINE AND RARE CLOISONNE ENAMEL STEM CUP QIANLONG BLUE ENAM...

Estimate

£8,000 - £12,000

A FINE AND RARE CLOISONNE ENAMEL STEM CUP
QIANLONG BLUE ENAMEL SEAL MARK AND OF THE PERIOD
铜胎掐丝珐琅梵文高足杯 清 乾隆(1736-1796)
[大清乾隆年制]篆书款
the flared bowl decorated in coloured enamels with eight lanca-characters between scrolling lotus blossoms and leafy tendrils, raised on a spreading circular foot decorated with bands of beaded jewellery pendants, demi-flowerheads, ruyi-heads and lappet
14.5cm diam, 13.5cm high

PROVENANCE: Private Dorset Collection. 

NOTE: This type of Steam Cup is also known as a Butter Lamp in Tibetan culture, and holds a significant place in Tibetan Buddhist traditions, symbolizing the illumination of wisdom. The tradition of using butter as fuel for lamps dates back centuries and is deeply rooted in Tibetan culture.  Lamps are often intricately decorated with sacred Sanskrit mantras and serve as devotional offerings to the enlightened beings.
The Steam Cup or Butter Lamp has appeared in various materials such as cloisonné, silver, porcelain, lacquer, and jade.  Use of such beautiful and technically difficult artistic methods to create these lamps reflects the artistry and religious devotion of the Tibetan people.

It was a practice of the Chinese Court to donate such exquisite butter lamps to Tibetan Buddhist temples during the Ming and Qing dynasties and this underscores the cultural exchange and the importance of religious ceremonies during that time.  

The current lot, with ‘Da Qing Qianlong Nian Zhi’ mark, is just such an example of imperial patronage of Tibetan religious culture, likely having be created as a devotional offering to a Tibetan Buddhist temple during the Qianlong period.

A comparable example of cloisonné steam cup in the Palace Museum Taipei,Museum No. 故琺000095N000000000, also published in the “Ming and Qing cloisonné collection from The Palace Museum, Taipei“ 1999, pl.161,p 74.

Another comparable example of cloisonné enamel stem cup, Qianlong mark and period, sold at Bonhams Hong Kong, 29 May 2018, lot 18.

SPECIAL BIDDING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THIS LOT: A DEPOSIT IS REQUIRED FOR BIDDING. PLEASE CONTACT enquiries@doreandrees.com FOR MORE INFORMATION

More Information

Good overall appearance. There are two small areas of enamel loss, one to the rim and the other around the foot rim is also very slight misshaped, there is a firing fault to enamel running just beneath rim (visible from images) wear and old marks consistant with age.