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Jingdezhen: Stupa
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Jingdezhen: Stupa
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Jingdezhen: Stupa
CHINA, Jiangxi, Jingdezhen; Qing dynasty (1644–1911); H: 43.1 cm; National Palace Museum, Taipei, Taiwan
This Tibetan-style stupa was commissioned by the Qing imperial court. Several stupas such as this were made in Jingdezhen during the rule of Emperor Qianlong (reigned 1736-1795). They were either used at the imperial court or presented to Mongolian and Tibetan monasteries.
The porcelain stupa has a square Sumeru base with a lotus petal pattern border and floral designs in between. The body of the stupa is in the form of an inverted bowl with a floral pattern, strings of beads, and animal mask designs against a light blue background. The upper and lower borders are decorated with a ring of upright lotus petals. The spire consists of 13 colorfully decorated stacked rings, an orange canopy, and a finial in the shape of a flaming blue vase with a red jewel at the top.
There is a niche in the body of the stupa containing a gilt bronze figurine of Tara, which measures 6.5 cm high and is a 16th century Tibetan work of art. Tara wears a jeweled crown with ribbons falling down to the shoulders. The lower part of the slender body is covered in a dhoti. The figure sits in royal ease position on a lotus throne while holding a lotus flower in the left hand, and forming the varada (wish-granting) mudra with the right. |
