A COPPER AND BRASS REPOUSSÉ RITUAL BEER EWER, c. 19TH CENTURY

拍品描述

A COPPER AND BRASS REPOUSSÉ RITUAL BEER EWER, c. 19TH CENTURY Tibet or Nepal. Finely chased and embossed, the conical body rising from a flat foot to a stepped neck, surmounted by a lobed, reticulated rim. The sides fitted with a prominent spout emerging from the jaws of a makara and a handle shaped like a stylized dragon. The exterior is divided into two encircling horizontal bands, each containing multiple shaped panels enclosing mythical animals amidst swirling clouds. The foot and neck are adorned with key-fret bands, while the top is centered by an image of Manjushri standing in alidhasana on a lotus base, holding his sword aloft. Dimensions: Height 25.7 cm The style of the present teapot indicates that it was crafted by Newar artisans, likely in the Kathmandu Valley. Such vessels may have been produced for export to Tibet or for use by Tibetans within Tibet itself. Its form is derived from earlier Chinese vessels known as ‘duomu hu’. The ‘duomu hu’ shape is derived from the ‘bey lep’ prototype, which was used for storing butter tea in Lamaist monasteries. ‘Duomu hu’, meaning ‘bucket for snow’ in Tibetan, were used in Tibet for storing butter and making the traditional buttered tea for Buddhist ceremonies. Originally made of wood with metal bands, they were occasionally depicted on 19th century Thangka alongside other vessels. The formerly wooden vessels became prestigious works of art under the Kangxi emperor, made out of silver, gold, porcelain or cloisonné, who did so as part of his campaign to display his utmost devotion and political commitment to the patronage of Tibetan Buddhism. Literature comparison: Compare a related brass and silver repoussé beer-jug, with cast bronze spout and handle, Nepal, 19th century, 31.5 cm high, in the Victoria & Albert Museum, accession number IM.4-1925.

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