Ivory Tripod Censor with Tall Lid in the Shape of a Two-Tiered Pagoda

Ivory Tripod Censor with Tall Lid in the Shape of a Two-Tiered Pagoda

no title

China (?)

"Censor with tripod feet, clawed and grasping carved balls, and topped by fierce, bushy-browed mask faces. Two flaring handles terminating in masks biting loose ring handles. The two sides of the base form are deeply carved; the front contains two writhing dragons amidst clouds on either side of a centrally placed small stupa-like building; the rear is deeply undercut with designs of three dragons amidst clouds. This censor base is surmounted by a tall two-story, six-sided pagoda with intricately carved railings, and carefully modeled with upturned simulated tile roofs terminating in twelve bells dangling upon loose-rings from the roof ends. The pagoda's lower level is in the form of brick structure encircled by high relief carvings of Buddhist deities; a Buddha on the front, which is flanked by two guardians on each side, ans a white-robed Guanyin Bodhisattva facing out at the rear. Each guardian is distinguished by the article he holds: a lute, closed umbrella, snake, ans sword. The upper story is modeled into the form of an unadorned brick surface. The pagoda is topped by a carved double gourd form resting atop a lotus petal base." Description by Patricia J. Graham, Ph. D., 2003

c. 1910

late 19th or early 20th

62.5 cm h x 35.5 cm w x 12.5 cm d

sculpture

ivory, elephant tusk

carved ivory

Gift to Drury University by Ben and Jean Parnell

2013.020

2013

20130032

20130033, 20130034, 20130035