6427

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    Tibetan Pierced Iron Pen Case

    Derge, Tibet
    15th century or earlier

    length: 38cm, weight: 888g

    Sold

    Provenance

    UK art market

    – scroll down to see further images –

    This heavy iron pen case comprises a long body and a lid, all with rounded contours. The fronts of both parts are pierced and decorated with three thin, sinewy dragons that are amid copious, dense Himalayan scrolling foliage that is heavily pierced.

    The sides are decorated with a fine, pierced key-fret border.

    The reverse is engraved with four ‘long-life’ symbols against a fish (or dragon) scale ground.

    Two matched lugs or eyelets on the cover and body would have allowed the case to be kept closed.

    Originally, it was likely that this pen case was gilded.

    Reynolds (1999, p. 108) illustrates a similar example in the Newark Museum, pierced and of similar form, attributed to Derge, 15th century or earlier.

    The example here has a dark patina from considerable age and is free from loss or damage.

    References

    Reynolds, V. et al, From the Sacred Realm: Treasures of Tibetan Art from the Newark Museum, Prestel, 1999.

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