alb4583232

Ritual Axe, c. 1407-1410. Creator: Unknown.

Ritual Axe, c. 1407-1410. Ceremonial weaponry was used in tantric rituals to combat obstacles to enlightenment, such as ignorance, delusions, and selfishness. In 1407, a high-ranking Tibetan monastic patriarch visited the emperor of the Ming dynasty, known as Yongle. The Yongle emperor presented him with a number of gifts, of which this ritual axe was probably a component, since the axe bears his identifying inscription in a cartouche. Imperial Chinese workmanship is noted in the lush rendering of the lion heads from which the blades emerge, the calligraphic serpentine forms, and the cloud motifs.

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Title: Ritual Axe, c. 1407-1410. Creator: Unknown.

Caption: Ritual Axe, c. 1407-1410. Ceremonial weaponry was used in tantric rituals to combat obstacles to enlightenment, such as ignorance, delusions, and selfishness. In 1407, a high-ranking Tibetan monastic patriarch visited the emperor of the Ming dynasty, known as Yongle. The Yongle emperor presented him with a number of gifts, of which this ritual axe was probably a component, since the axe bears his identifying inscription in a cartouche. Imperial Chinese workmanship is noted in the lush rendering of the lion heads from which the blades emerge, the calligraphic serpentine forms, and the cloud motifs.

Credit: Album / Heritage Art/Heritage Images

Releases: ? Model Release: No - ? Property Release: No
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Image size: 2452 × 5000 px | 35.1 MB

Print size: 20.8 × 42.3 cm | 965.4 × 1968.5 in (300 dpi)

Keywords: 1403-1427 • CLEVELAND MUSEUM OF ART, THE • DERGE SCHOOL • IRON ALLOY WITH GOLD AND SILVER INLAY • METALWORK • METALWORKS • SINO-TIBETAN • YONGLE PERIOD