Case
16th century-17th century (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This hinged iron case was used to protect the highly prized jade or porcelain tea bowls of Tibetan noblemen when travelling. The bowl was wrapped in cloth or wool within the case. The top is decorated with inter-linked scrolls and a central gyankyil or swirling emblem which symbolises the enlightened mind of the Buddha radiating compassion. The bottom is incised with the dharmachakra or 'Wheel of the Buddhist Law', lotus and gyankyil. The high quality of the metalwork suggests the case was made in eastern Tibet.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Iron, inlaid with gold and silver |
| Brief description | for a teabowl, Iron, damascended with gold and silver, Kham, probably Derge, Eastern Tibet, c.18th century |
| Physical description | A round iron tea cup case inlaid on its upper, hinged surface, with a central whirling emblem or rgyan khyil. Outside of this are interlocking scrollwork tendrils. Both designs are composed of gold and silver sheets cut and overlaid onto the iron surface. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Gallery label | 1. Case for Tea Bowl
1600–1700
This container protected a nobleman’s jade or porcelain tea bowl when
travelling, the cup being wrapped in wool or silk within it. A Buddhist emblem,
the Tibetan gyan khil, symbolising endlessness, is depicted in thin sheets of silver
laid onto the iron surface.
Iron and silver
Eastern Tibet
Bequeathed by Lord Curzon
Museum no. IM.160-1927(14/06/2010) |
| Credit line | Bequeathed by Lord Curzon |
| Historical context | Highly prized jade and porcelain teabowls had elaborate travelling cases prepared for them, a reflection of the mobile lifestyle lived by the Tibetans. The cover of this case has the swirling gyan khil design encircled in interlaced scrolls, symbolizing ceaseless change. The base is encised with a dharmacakra ("wheel of law") design, lotus and gyan khil. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | This hinged iron case was used to protect the highly prized jade or porcelain tea bowls of Tibetan noblemen when travelling. The bowl was wrapped in cloth or wool within the case. The top is decorated with inter-linked scrolls and a central gyankyil or swirling emblem which symbolises the enlightened mind of the Buddha radiating compassion. The bottom is incised with the dharmachakra or 'Wheel of the Buddhist Law', lotus and gyankyil. The high quality of the metalwork suggests the case was made in eastern Tibet. |
| Bibliographic reference | Lord Curzon bequest. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | IM.160-1927 |
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| Record created | February 13, 2000 |
| Record URL |
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