East Asia, China, 18th to 19th century CE. A pair of massive drum shaped limestone pedestals for a column, each carved with auspicious Buddhist symbols and motifs. The lower base area is carved to resemble furniture feet, with taotie faces resting just above. The taotie is one of the "four fiends" or "four evil creatures" of Chinese mythology. The octagonal body is symbolic of the auspicious number 8 in Buddhism, and the recessed sides contain relief carvings of flowers and fruit, including lotus, peony, chrysanthemums, peach, and pomegranate. The rounded upper face is low relief carved with scrolling foliage, butterflies, and gourds / pumpkins. This pair was probably placed outside a building as decorative elements in a garden or entranceway, possibly supporting wood columns for a Paifang gate. These are both incredibly hefty and they could be used today for supporting a glass table top or your favorite sculpture! Size: 14.5" Diameter x 14.5" H (36.8 cm x 36.8 cm)
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Provenance: private Vero Beach, Florida, USA collection, acquired before 2003
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#177244
Condition
Chips and abrasions throughout. Loss to surface layers on sides and losses to some carvings. Softening and weathering to finer details. Stable fissures and striations.