Altar Frontal of gold kesi with large seated, four-clawed dragon in green, partially woven with peacock feathers. In the field are loose, fat clouds, and Buddhist symbols in shades of blue, green, brown, brick-red, tan, and yellow. Below, the waves and sacred Mountain of the Eternal Sea. Note cloud restorations of finer kesi. In upper valance section of brown kesi, set off from main field by an uneven band of watery, run-together clouds, appear the sun disc flanked by two white cranes in a cloud field. Colors include red, green, yellow, and blue. Lining of strips of bright blue satin damask of medallion design.

Altar Frontal, early 17th century

Unknown artist, Chinaexpand_more

silk tapestry (kesi)expand_more

The John R. Van Derlip Fundexpand_more  42.8.194

Not on Viewexpand_more

The upper section of this altar frontal depicts a sun disk flanked by Manchurian cranes in a field of clouds. The main section boasts a large dragon in a celestial landscape of clouds, mountains, and waves. Throughout the composition is a scattered scheme of the Eight Treasures of Buddhism, like the conch, the endless knot, the wheel of law, and the two golden fish.

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Details
Title
Altar Frontal
Role
Artist
Accession Number
42.8.194
Curator Approved

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Altar Frontal of gold kesi with large seated, four-clawed dragon in green, partially woven with peacock feathers. In the field are loose, fat clouds, and Buddhist symbols in shades of blue, green, brown, brick-red, tan, and yellow. Below, the waves and sacred Mountain of the Eternal Sea. Note cloud restorations of finer kesi. In upper valance section of brown kesi, set off from main field by an uneven band of watery, run-together clouds, appear the sun disc flanked by two white cranes in a cloud field. Colors include red, green, yellow, and blue. Lining of strips of bright blue satin damask of medallion design.
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