Lyon & Turnbull
Los 234
FAMILLE ROSE 'HORSE' ALTAR EMBLEM QIANLONG MARK BUT REPUBLIC PERIOD 民國 乾隆款 粉彩七珍勝馬寳供 of columnar form, on top of the drum-shaped podium surmounted by a horse standing on all fours covered with a cloth bearing a stand, the podium raised on an openwork foliated stem issuing from a double-gourd flanked with ribbons supported on a dome foot painted with dragons, the base with a six-character Qianlong mark within double squares in iron-red(23.2cm high)Note: The present alter emblem is one of the Seven Regal Treasures, Qizhenbao, in Buddhism. These Seven Treasures, also known as the Seven Jewels of Royal Power, as described in the Buddhist sutra, were brought to earth by the Universal Monarch- Chakravartin. These saptaratna serve as the indispensable symbols for the governance of a 'wheel turning sage king'. They include the Elephant, symbolising sovereignty and opulence; the Wheel, representing the Buddhist doctrine; the Horse, representing facility in war and mobility; the Wish-Granting Jewel; the Queen who serves as the virtuous wife to the king; the Minister who is responsible for the welfare of the people; and the General who holds authority over the military troops for peace. A comparable example of a famille rose horse altar emblem, Qianlong mark and period, was sold together with an elephant altar emblem, at Christie's London, 8 Jun 2004, lot 437; Two famille rose 'Minister' and 'Woman' altar emblems, Qianlong mark and period, were offered at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 08 October 2008, lot 2608; a pair of 'Flaming Pearl' altar emblems, Qianlong mark and period, were offered at Sotheby's Hong Kong, 04 October 2016, lot 106. A number of sets of the ‘Seven Regal Treasures’ are known in various materials; for example a rare group of seven imperial cloisonne enamel, gilt bronze and white jade alter emblems, in which three are the Seven Treasures, and four are the Eight Buddhist Emblems, dated to Qianlong period, were sold at Christie's, 3 Dec 2008, lot 2601; a parcel-gilt full set of Seven Regal Treasures are in the collection of Bodhimanda Foundation, accession no V-851
