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Chased Parcel-Gilt Silver Monk's Cap Ewer
Tibet
19th century
height: 23.5cm, weight: 725g
This silver ewer in the form of the curved brim of a Tibetan monk's cap with an extended spout. The handle is in the form of dragon with an open mouth, a
flowing mane and delicately teched scales down his back.
The neck of the ewer is finely engraved with scrolling cloud/foliage motifs. The should is engraved with a thin key-fret border and then chased with a luxuriant
band of foliage and pseudo-Taoist motifs that were absorbed into Tibetan art from China.
The globular body is densely chased with scrolling motifs and on either side, large central cartouches decorated with two Tibetan narrative scenes.
One shows a partridge atop a hare atop a monkey atop an elephant, all with parcel gilding against a dense foliage background. This motif is known as the
'four friends' and has its origins in the Tittira Jataka legend of one of the Buddha's previous lives. It is a moral tale that teaches that age must be respected
above learning, greatness or noble birth. Each of the animals represents the four terrestrial habitats: the sky (the partridge), the tree (the monkey), the
ground (the elephant) and the underground (the hare.) The main elements are in parcel gilt.
The other narrative scene shows Shou-lao or his Tibetan equivalent feeding a medicinal ball of longevity to a deer at his feet. A bowl of peaches sits on a
stand in the middle of the scene. It is a narrative that relates to longevity. There is a crane and abundant foliage. Again, the main elements of the scene are in
parcel gilt.
The ewer sits on a slightly flared foot that is engraved with a stylised petal border.
Inventory no.: 882
This Item is available - Ask about this item
Chased Parcel-Gilt Silver Monk's Cap Ewer
Tibet
19th century
height: 23.5cm, weight: 725g
This silver ewer in the form of the curved brim of a Tibetan monk's cap with an extended spout. The handle is in the form of dragon with an open mouth, a
flowing mane and delicately teched scales down his back.
The neck of the ewer is finely engraved with scrolling cloud/foliage motifs. The should is engraved with a thin key-fret border and then chased with a luxuriant
band of foliage and pseudo-Taoist motifs that were absorbed into Tibetan art from China.
The globular body is densely chased with scrolling motifs and on either side, large central cartouches decorated with two Tibetan narrative scenes.
One shows a partridge atop a hare atop a monkey atop an elephant, all with parcel gilding against a dense foliage background. This motif is known as the
'four friends' and has its origins in the Tittira Jataka legend of one of the Buddha's previous lives. It is a moral tale that teaches that age must be respected
above learning, greatness or noble birth. Each of the animals represents the four terrestrial habitats: the sky (the partridge), the tree (the monkey), the
ground (the elephant) and the underground (the hare.) The main elements are in parcel gilt.
The other narrative scene shows Shou-lao or his Tibetan equivalent feeding a medicinal ball of longevity to a deer at his feet. A bowl of peaches sits on a
stand in the middle of the scene. It is a narrative that relates to longevity. There is a crane and abundant foliage. Again, the main elements of the scene are in
parcel gilt.
The ewer sits on a slightly flared foot that is engraved with a stylised petal border.
Inventory no.: 882
This Item is available - Ask about this item
