A FINE SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES AND JADE EMBELLISHED... Lot 287

A FINE SEMI-PRECIOUS STONES AND JADE EMBELLISHED TIBETAN BUDDHIST RITUAL COVERED CONTAINER HIMALAYA OR POSSIBLY EASTERN TIBET, LATE QING DYNASTY, 19TH CENTURY resting on a conical spread foot, with a globular body, a waisted neck, a stepped rim and a dome-shaped lid. Very finely and deeply chiselled, notably with coiled dragon beasts (possibly chi dragons) to the neck, double scrolls amidst clouds. Further embellished with stone beads of various colours, notably red and green, imitating lotus lappets around the spread foot. Most important are even the white jade plaques, five in totals, four around the body and one topping the lid. They are deeply carved in a desirable stone with various flowers and leaves to the body, and with the wheel on dharma to the top of the lid. H: 21,5 cm Weight: 1528,9 grams NOTE Tibetan Buddhism ritual objects are of various shapes and sizes. Along 'dru po', one can mention 'torma' ('lha gya tor chig'), long-life vases ('tshe-bum'), oboes ('gyaling'), long horns ('dung chen'), skull cup kapalas ('tod-pa', peacock vases ('bumpa'), cylindrical containers ('dug drab dze sum gyi nod) etc. Full sets of ritual implements would have been used throughout the year and were often offered to teachers from wealthy patrons and disciples. The fine craftsmanship and lavish use and silver and jade indicate an important commission typically that may be associated with the craftsmen of Eastern Tibet in Derge.