Antique
Chinese Polychrome Snuff
Bottle
Pu
Hien Buddha
Samantabhadra On Sacred Elephant
Signature: unsigned, Circa: 19th century
H
2.75 in.(7cm), W 2 in.(5cm), D 1.25 in.(3cm)
Condition: no snuff spoon, o.a. excellent! Antique
snuff bottle in well-marked ivory with age patina. Deep cream color with banding
and variations. Very well carved, depicting Samantabhadra, (Fugen in Japanese),
adorned in a golden diadem and embroidered robes and seated upon a richly caparisoned
sacred white elephant. Samantabhadra is the personification of wisdom and the
unity of the Dharma; he is the Lord of Truth. In his left hand he holds a branch
of flowering peony, an auspicious symbol of spring and promised abundance. A large
peony decorates the elephant’s headstall, with engraving of the eyes, the trunk
curling realistically to the animal’s left. Details are all artistically accomplished--the
delicately carved flowers, the corrugations of the elephant’s trunk, the small
tusks, graceful tail and carefully thinned edges of its ears. Engravings have
been tinted with sumi and pigments in rose, blue, green and gold.
Private Collection |  |
