CHINE, DYNASTIE QING (1644-1911)

Buddhism was the state religion of the Qing dynasty, and the Qianlong Emperor was a devout practitioner of the faith. His powerful devotion to Buddhism carried over into works of art made during his reign. The bajixiang, Eight Auspicious Buddhist Emblems, are amongst the most readily identifiable of the symbols found in Buddhist iconography and represent the offerings made to the Buddha Shakyamuni by the gods immediately after his enlightenment. They comprise: the Wheel of Law; the Conch Shell; the Umbrella; the Canopy; the Lotus; the Vase; the Paired Fish; and the Endless Knot.