A GILT-BRONZE AND CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL ALMS BOWL, 15TH CENTURY

拍品描述

A GILT-BRONZE AND CLOISONNÉ ENAMEL ALMS BOWL, 15TH CENTURY Expert’s note: This dignified alms bowl belongs to a group of cloisonné works created in the 15th century for Buddhist usage, at a time when the Yongle (1403-1424) and Xuande Emperors (1426-1435) as well as their 15th-century successors were deeply involved in all artistic production of the empire and recruited some of the greatest artisans to create objects in a variety of media for use in Tibetan Buddhist ceremonies. Of particular significance is the neatly incised double-vajra symbol on the base, a classic motif of the early Ming which is well known from the bases of gilt-bronze Buddhist sculptures. For an example from this cloisonné group with a similar double-vajra mark, see a dish dated to the early Ming dynasty at Bonhams Hong Kong, 2 December 2021, lot 28, sold for HKD 1,752,500 or EUR 192,000 (converted at the time of writing). China. The compressed globular body finely decorated with a lotus meander frieze, the full blooms shown in profile, all five blooms differing slightly in their arrangements of petals and color combinations. Each of the numerous petals are picked out in an array of different colored enamels including red, blue, dark green, yellow and white, with the outermost petals on each bloom depicted as gently folded, some of which are picked out in two complementary tones. The arched stems frame each of the flower heads and issue smaller leaves and buds which divide the larger blooms, all reserved on a turquoise blue ground, the base encircled by an elaborate multi-colored lotus-lappet band, the mouth with a classic leafy meander reserved on a red ground. The body is made of copper alloy and the rim and base are gilt. The base is incised with a finely detailed double vajra symbol. Dimensions: Diameter 16.2 cm Amid the small group of Palace Workshop cloisonné wares from the 15th century decorated with lotus meanders, the present lot stands out as among one of the most finely enameled. Although this motif was popular and the most common of decorative themes in the 15th century, the attention to detail on this example, with full blooms depicted with gently curled petals picked out in two tones suggesting the front and back of each face, and several colors combined in a single cloison to depict green leaves whose tips have turned red or yellow, identifies this example as one of the most detailed of the group. The wires are used as if they were part of a drawing, not only outlining and enclosing the colors, but also delineating detail within monochrome cells. Literature comparison: Compare with a cloisonne enamel vase with similarly worked lotus blooms and scrolling leaves, dated first half of the 15th century, 26.4 cm high, illustrated in Chinese Cloisonne: The Pierre Uldry Collection, London, 1989, pl. 9. Auction result comparison: Type: Near identical Auction: Christie’s Hong Kong, 29 May 2007, lot 1435 Price: HKD 3,000,000 or approx. EUR 545,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the form, enamels, motifs, and size (16.5 cm).

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