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A set of such altarpieces would have been placed on the altar of a Buddhist temple. See McArthur, M. (2004), 'Reading Buddhist art: An illustrated guide to Buddhist signs and symbols', London: Thames & Hudson. Page 119.

One of an altar set of the Eight Buddhist Emblems, ba ji xiang. Depicts the Two Golden Fish mounted on a lotus pedestal, constructed in two detachable parts. The lotus pedestal 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. The two golden fish symbolise salvation from suffering. They also signify freedom from all restraint, as fish move freely in water. Carved wood covered with red lacquer and gold pigment.

altar piece
13.12.54/1
Anthropology

2 items (description level: top)
Additional names, titles, or classifications
classified as:  altar pieces (ritual & belief: ritual apparatus)
object name (Horniman Ethno.):  altar piece (ritual & belief: ritual apparatus)

Place
China, East Asia, Asia
Additional place information
made or collected:  China 
Date made
early to mid 20th century
Additional date information
date made:  early to mid 20th century 

Materials and techniques
wood; pigment; lacquer
Additional material & technique information
material: wood (overall)
material: pigment (overall)
material: lacquer (overall)
Measurements
overall: 610 x 222 mm
Additional measurement information
overall: 610 x 222 mm
Inscriptions
label:  B .

Provenance
vendor:  Glendining & Co., Ltd.  sale 1954-12-13

Use
Placed on the altars of Buddhist temples.

Further reading
119 (describes similar)

Related objects
part of the same set:  altar piece (13.12.54/8)
part of the same set:  altar piece (13.12.54/6)
part of the same set:  altar piece (13.12.54/5)
part of the same set:  altar piece (13.12.54/3)
Related subjects
related subject: Buddhism
related subject: Carving
related subject: Symbols
classified as: altar pieces (ritual & belief: ritual apparatus)
object name (Horniman Ethno.): altar pieces (ritual & belief: ritual apparatus)
material: lacquer
material: pigment
material: wood

Record created 2000-01-22 by JPUNNETT
Record last updated 2013-01-24 by RSHEPHERD

Location

  • see part records

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