A CONCH SHELL RITUAL LIBATION CUP
SOUTH INDIA, CIRCA 13TH CENTURY 16 cm (6 1/4 in.) long
注脚
法螺印度南部 約十三世紀With the back hollowed out to serve as a libation cup, the other side is carved with a vibrant ensemble of celestial rishis. Surrounded by stars, one rishi holds a flute while others raise their hands in reverence of three royal figures to the right. In a perpendicular panel on the far left, another royal figure is enthroned. Libation cups and horns have been fashioned out of conch shells throughout South Asia and hold special status in areas such as Tibet where they were also considered luxuries (Lerner, Flame and the Lotus, New York, 1985, pp.83-5). Compare with two other examples with similar configurations of rishis sold at Christie's, New York, 23 September 2004, lot 93, and Sotheby's, New York, 28 March 1996, lot 119. Provenance Private European Collection, acquired before 1989