East Asia, China, Ming Dynasty, ca. 1368 to 1644 CE. A beautiful stone architectural column or tier from a dharani pillar with Buddhist motifs. The sides are carved with scrolling foliate motifs; birds or mythical phoenixes perching in the branches, and fish and shrimp under leafy seaweed, and lotus flowers emerging from a seigaiha (wave) pattern. The pillar is octagonal, the 8 sides symbolic of Buddhism, and the top is carved like a shallow basin with a drain or tenon socket. Dharani pillars are engraved and erected outside/inside temples or commemorative markers for a deceased ancestor, often with octagonal bases and engraved with sacred script, incantations, mortuary inscriptions, or simply Buddhist motifs. The larger dharani are often build from separate pieces of stone stacked atop each other, the basin here perhaps once formed a joint, and supported the rest of the ties of the structure. Size: 11" L x 11" W x 26" H (27.9 cm x 27.9 cm x 66 cm)

While the Seigaiha pattern is a popular Japanese motif, the pattern originated from ancient China where it was used by cartographers to represent water on maps.

This item is heavy/oversized and will require 3rd party shipping. Please inquire about shipping cost prior to bidding.

Provenance: private Vero Beach, Florida, USA collection, acquired before 2003

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#177369

Repaired, corner of base reattached, and pieces of rim around basin are reattached with some infill to larger break lines. Chips and abrasions throughout. Some light mineral deposits and discoloration to surface.