04/09/2021
Virgo season is upon us, and we thought we’d do a mini series of lovely ladies on our antique artefacts!
First off is a beautiful close up of a fine early 20th century Burmese betel nut box, featuring the graceful Virgo. Shown as a harvest maiden, she is depicted here in traditional Burmese garments and a wheat bundle in her hand. Her joyous face is a wonderful sight that brings to mind the youthful innocent quality of the astrological sign.
Next, we have a rare sighting of a gorgeous Tibetan offering goddess, baring her graceful form against a unique silver coloured background on a precious 19th century cabinet. Garbed in colourful fabric that drapes over her hips, the goddess nimbly leaps mid dance, swathed in looping scarves and adorned in jewellery. In her left hand, she wields a rainbow tiered victory banner, one of the eight auspicious symbols of Buddhism.
This splendid composition of the offering goddess surrounded by treasures is specially painted atop cotton, cotton over wood, a technique rarely found on Tibetan cabinets. It allows the delightful colours on the surface to retain its intense vividness even after hundreds of years.
Finally, we have a group of well-dressed courtly ladies gathering together on a striking 19th century Chinese red lacquer cabinet. They are poised in a private performance, each of them dressed in fine clothing. As one of them dances, the others surround her. Two of them are playing traditional instruments for the accompanying music – a stringed lute known as a p**a, and a long flute known as a dizi, while the other most likely sings along. Together, the quartet forms an elegant vision of ancient Chinese nobility.
