Large ritual container in gilt bronze and cloisonné enamel, Kundika

An important Kundika gilt bronze and cloisonné enamel ritual container with a globular body decorated with scrolls and lotus flowers between bands of petals, an angular spout adorned with a flaming pearl and fitted with a removable lid, the long pinched faceted neck adorned with a ball decorated with petal motifs is surmounted by a gilt bronze element in the shape of a flower bulb. The whole is presented on a domed base encircled by chased gilt bronze petals and foliage. All in polychrome red, green, blue, yellow and white on a turquoise-blue background, typical of Ming dynasty production.
A double Vajra incised under the base.
A four-character Qianlong mark incised later under the base in the margin of the double vajra suggests imperial ownership, given that some earlier objects in imperial collections were sometimes marked later, particularly during the reign of the Qianlong emperor.

Height: 20.3 cm
Width: 11 cm

Provenance: Collection of the Comte de C.