A Large and Rare Mongolian Copper Alloy and Turquoise Incense Sphere
Mongolia, 19th century
diameter: 18 cm
This sphere, which comprises two interlocking halves, is decorated with two large, finely
worked dragons amid clouds, all within circular open-cut panels against two wide borders that
feature flower motifs set with turquoise stones (some losses) amid foliage and large Lantsa
letters.
References: Free-standing incense burners with similar open-work, turquoise inlay and deity
plaques appear in Lipton, B., and Dorjee Ragnubs, N., Treasures of Tibetan Art: Collections
of the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art, Oxford University Press, 1996, p. 235 and
241. See also Clarke, J., ‘A group of Sino-Mongolian Metalwork in the Tibetan Style’,
Orientations, May 1992, for more information on Mongolian metalwork.
Inventory no.: 40
Mongolia, 19th century
diameter: 18 cm
This sphere, which comprises two interlocking halves, is decorated with two large, finely
worked dragons amid clouds, all within circular open-cut panels against two wide borders that
feature flower motifs set with turquoise stones (some losses) amid foliage and large Lantsa
letters.
References: Free-standing incense burners with similar open-work, turquoise inlay and deity
plaques appear in Lipton, B., and Dorjee Ragnubs, N., Treasures of Tibetan Art: Collections
of the Jacques Marchais Museum of Tibetan Art, Oxford University Press, 1996, p. 235 and
241. See also Clarke, J., ‘A group of Sino-Mongolian Metalwork in the Tibetan Style’,
Orientations, May 1992, for more information on Mongolian metalwork.
Inventory no.: 40
