altar piece

Base of an altar set of the Eight Buddhist Emblems, ba ji xiang. Base is a lotus pedestal which consists of a platform surrounded by multi-tiered overlapping lotus petals, raised on a tall stem embellished with four foliate scrolls, set atop a domed embellished base with sea waves, bands of cloud motifs and bosses, and a row of curved petals at the bottom. Carved wood covered with red lacquer and gold pigment.

Sets of such altarpieces were placed on the altars of Buddhist temples. See McArthur, M. (2004), 'Reading Buddhist Art: An Illustrated Guide to Buddhist Signs and Symbols', London: Thames & Hudson. Page 119.

object
MUSEUM NUMBER
13.12.54/8i
Date
early to mid 20th century
PLACE
COLLECTION
MEASUREMENTS
overall: 590 x 225 mm
MATERIAL/TECHNIQUE
wood; pigment; lacquer
CATEGORY
Anthropology: Ethnography
LOCATION
In storage
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Collection Information

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