Exceptional Single Monumental Covered Urn of Archaic Fung Lei Form

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Exceptional Single Monumental Covered Urn of Archaic Fung Lei Form

About the Item

Surmounted by a Buddhist Lion2, the neck of each is flanked by pierced flanges carved as scrolling stylized dragons. The ovoid bodies feature two high drop ring handles suspended from the mouths of vigorously carved stylized dragons. On both the front and backs of the vessels, large rectangular central reserves are meticulously carved in low relief with a pair of menacing mang dragons amidst stylized clouds, in pursuit of the central flaming pearl. Both are raised upon a waisted, gently flared stem foot. The Qing emperor’s taste for objects of splendor and opulence was reflected in the art produced under their patronage in the imperial workshops. These magnificent pieces were intended primarily for use in temples or in imperial residences, while works of this scale were generally created as ritual objects for temples. Such lavish objets d’art would have served a more decorative than utilitarian function even at court.4 Indeed, the more valuable the materials employed, and the more richly decorated the objects were, the more merit they would bring to the donor or the one who commissioned them, in this case perhaps a Prince of the third or fourth rank.5 1. Impassioned by archeological discoveries, Chinese artisans of the Qing dynasty paid tribute to ancient bronze artifacts in virtually every medium. Clearly lapidary sculptors were no exception, for the vessels represented emulate fung lei vessels created during the Early Western Zhou Dynasty (1111-770 B.C.). 2. The Buddhist lion (a.k.a. ‘foo lion’) is an ancient symbol of royalty and of the Buddha himself. By the 18th century the motif had become firmly linked with the imperial court, analogous with the five-clawed dragon in pursuit of the flaming pearl. Williams,C.A.S. Outlines of Chinese Symbolism & Art Motives. Dover: New York, 1976, 72. 3. Since Han times, the five-clawed dragon was the symbol of Imperial power and reserved for the Emperor, his sons, and Princes of the first and second rank. The four-clawed mang dragon, as seen here, was used by Princes of the third and fourth rank. Cammann,S., “Some strange Ming Beasts”, Oriental Art, n.s. vol. 2, no.3, Aut.1956, 99-100. 4. Rawson, Jessica, ed. The British Museum of Chinese Art, London: 1992, esp. 202-3. 5. see footnote 3, above.

Dimensions:
Height: 80 in (203.2 cm)Width: 42 in (106.68 cm)Depth: 20 in (50.8 cm)
Materials and Techniques:
Serpentine,Hand-Carved
Place of Origin:
China
Period:
Late 19th Century
Date of Manufacture:
circa 1900
Condition:
Repaired: 1 small repair to decorative element.
Seller Location:
Dallas, TX
Reference Number:
Seller: JGarrett Piece1stDibs: LU1077021444982