architecture
- Museum number
- Franks.2544
- Description
-
Earthenware architectural element with green, yellow, brown and cream glazes. Part (lower section) of a pair (see also BM Franks. 921). This architectural elements is moulded and carved. It shows a double band of lotus petals with 'ruyi' cloud feet suggested in yellow. The lead glaze has dripped over the edges.
- Production date
- 1412-1431 (circa)
- Dimensions
-
Diameter: 7 centimetres
-
Height: 18.50 centimetres
-
Width: 17 centimetres (max)
- Curator's comments
- Harrison-Hall 2001:
This type of lotus-petal base with beading is found in Sino-Tibetan Buddhist sculpture of the Yongle era. For example, a Yongle mark and period gilt-bronze image of the historical Buddha Sakyamuni, shown in meditative posture, seated on a similar double lotus-petal throne, is in the British Museum (BM 1980.0410.4). The Yongle emperor maintained good diplomatic relations with the Tibetans and invited Tibetan religious leaders including Halima to court to perform religious services for his deceased parents, for example, in 1407.
These architectural elements were probably made for the base section of an ornamental gate at the 'Da Bao'en si', Nanjing, and may be compared to a reconstruction of the main gate illustrated in a recent exhibition catalogue. Construction of the 'Da Bao'en si' temple complex began in the Yongle reign in 1412 and was completed in the Xuande era in 1431. Franks suggests that the spheres and flame represent the 'san zhi' or 'three moral excellences' of Buddha.
- Location
- Not on display
- Acquisition notes
- The Asian ceramics donated by Sir Augustus Wollaston Franks were recorded in a sequence on index cards (known as the ‘Franks Index Cards’), held in the Dept of Asia.
- Department
- Asia
- Registration number
- Franks.2544