AN EMBROIDERED SILK BUDDHIST ALTAR FRONTAL, QIANLONG PERIOD China, 1736-1795. Finely worked in multicolored satin stitch, Peking knot, and couched gold thread to depict a central scroll-bordered roundel enclosing a Buddhist lion surmounted by a vase and surrounded by bats as well as the Eight Auspicious Symbols of Buddhism (bajixiang), all above lishui. The roundel further surrounded by legendary animals, elephants, tigers, bats, and insects.

Provenance: Old Dutch private collection.
Condition: Overall in fine condition and presenting very well. The second section missing. Laid down with losses to silk in the background. Significant traces of use and wear, minor soiling, minimal fading, some loose thread. The thin green border surrounding the frontal is of European origin. With a European frame, matted and glazed.

Dimensions: Image size 101 x 45.5 cm, Size incl. frame 135 x 85 cm

Auction result comparison: Compare a related but larger (78.8 x 165.1 cm) Buddhist altar frontal, also dated to the Qianlong period and with the bajixiang, but in better condition than the present lot, at Christie’s New York in Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art on 23 March 2012, lot 1626, sold for USD 40,000. 乾隆緞綉祭壇挂屏
中國，1736-1795年。挂屏五彩北京結紋，金線精心綉成。挂屏中央開光可見佛獅與寳瓶紋，麗水江崖紋上蝙蝠環繞，八吉祥，衆多祥瑞神獸以及大象、老虎、蝙蝠等。

來源：荷蘭私人老收藏。
品相：總體狀況良好。 缺少第二部分。背景中的絲綢局部缺損。明顯的使用和磨損痕跡，輕微污跡和褪色，一些鬆散的線。綠色細邊框源自歐洲。 歐式框架，啞光。

尺寸：挂屏101 x 45.5 厘米, 含框135 x 85 厘米

拍賣結果比較：一件乾隆年代的相近但更大 (78.8 x 165.1 厘米) 的祭壇挂屏，品相更好，見紐約佳士得 Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art，2012年3月23日，lot 1626，售價USD 40,000。