Qing Dynasty Gilt Copper Set of Twin Deer & Dharma Wheel Buddhist Ritual Sculpture,18th–19th Century CE

拍品描述

Dimensions:Central Dharma Wheel overall height 115cm(45.28in),main wheel width 48cm(18.90in);single kneeling deer height 60cm(23.62in),length 70cm(27.56in);total weight 19000g(41.89lbs),18th–19th Century CECondition & Provenance:The full set remains fully intact with no missing components,cracks or modern repairs.Most original gilding survives;natural wear revealing copper base metal across the surface is authentic patina formed from centuries of temple worship.Finely chased ornamentation on the dharma wheel stays crisp and full,lotus petal base and cloud ribbon elements are undamaged.The twin deer are constructed with stable sheet copper hammerwork,no limb distortion or facial detail loss,natural mottled gilding consistent with age.This sacred set originates from a private collector based in San Francisco,California,USA.The collector acquired the complete ensemble from a Bangkok antique dealer in 2002 and preserved it long-term in climate-controlled dark storage.Full large-scale twin deer and dharma wheel matching sets are extremely scarce on the global antique market.description:This complete ensemble is a canonical Tibetan Buddhist devotional altar sculpture,composed of one monumental dharma wheel paired with a symmetrical set of two kneeling deer,traditionally displayed as a central focal piece inside major monastery halls.The towering central wheel features a peach-shaped aureole densely chased with scrolling floral vines.The eight-spoke wheel holds a central paired-fish auspicious emblem,attached to a gourd-shaped baluster stem atop a double-layer hammered lotus base lined with bead molding.Sinuous cloud ribbon strips extend from either side of the wheel with meticulous fine chasing creating deep visual texture.The matching pair of recumbent deer are fully hand-hammered sheet copper forms with rounded robust bodies,wide unfolded ears and heads tilted upward toward the wheel.This twin deer motif represents the Buddha’s first sermon turning the wheel of dharma,symbolizing universal Buddhist salvation.The entire set is covered in fire gilding,with natural faded gilding exposing copper base metal in worn areas creating rich antique patina after generations of religious use.This monumental artwork combines hammerwork,chasing and gilding techniques with standard authentic Tibetan iconography and profound sacred symbolism.It is incredibly rare to find such a large,complete unseparated set preserved to this day,standing as a top-tier ceremonial gilt copper treasure from Qing-era Tibetan Buddhism with immense religious,craftsmanship and collectible significance.

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