Large carved, gilded and polychromed stone bowl, Qing dynasty

A large carved and gilded stone, set on a circular base, supported by the heads of two foo lions. It has a spherical base surrounded by a small Chinese architectural fence and decorated with fine reliefs of phoenixes. Various bodies of different sizes and curved profiles rise up, with engraved and relief decorations of lions and lotus leaves. The globular body is richly decorated with a scene of lotuses and majestic phoenixes flying above ruyi clouds. On either side of the body, two large, polychrome dragon heads with large eyes and jaws emerge as handles. At the top and covering the mouth is a beautiful concave lid with a relief image of an elongated dragon chasing a flaming pearl, and above it, crowning the piece, is a menacing-looking foo lion holding a pearl in its paws.  Qing Dynasty (1644 - 1912) or later.

Height: 47 cm; Width: 39 cm

Weight: 14.91 kg