Offering Instruments with the Eight Auspicious Symbols

CHINA; Qing dynasty

These offering instruments featuring the eight auspicious symbols have rosewood bases carved with flowering crab apple. Each base has a floral pillar stand decorated with turquoise leaves on either side. On top, there is an inverted lotus embedded with red corals, bats made of lapis lazuli, and longevity symbols made of turquoise. The mid-sections are embedded with rubies, sapphires, cat’s eye stone, and jade.
On top of each lotus is one of the eight auspicious symbols. The Dharma wheel has eight spokes, and the parasol is embedded with a swastika, longevity symbols, and various kinds of precious stones. With a ribbon at the center, the victory banner is in the form of a folded umbrella, while the conch has spiral patterns formed by rubies and sapphires. The lotus appears in bloom and the vase has a round body with a lid. The two golden fish are depicted swimming, and the knot features diamond patterning. Each auspicious symbol is inlaid with gold thread with flaming jewels surrounded by turquoise ribbons comprising their finials.