Ming Dynasty Vermilion Lacquer Double Deer-listening Dharma Wheel Offering Vessel Gilt Copper Tibetan Accessory Xiaodeng Temple

Product details

Item Type: Tibetan Antique Ritual Items. Style: Tibetan. Dimensions: Height: 6.69 in (17 cm) Width: 3.54 in (9 cm) Depth: 9.05 in (23 cm). Materials and Techniques: Copper Gilding. Place of Origin: Xiaoden Monastery. Period: Ming Dynasty. Condition: Good. The Ming Dynasty Tibetan-style gilt vermilion lacquer offering vessel featuring the Twin Deer Listening to the Dharma Wheel is a common decorative item found on the roofs and archways of Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and palaces. The wheel, in circular form with a lotus pedestal below, is adorned with eight radiating spokes, symbolizing both the ancient chariot and the relentless cycle of existence. The twin deer on either side lie in a relaxed posture, seemingly attentively listening to the teachings. Crafted from gilt bronze and embellished with vermilion lacquer, the charming figures retain their intricate detail and luster, showcasing exquisite artisanship. The meticulous preservation of the gilt and lacquer finishes, passed down from the Ming Dynasty to the present, highlights the enduring beauty and significance of this essential ceremonial object for Buddhist sanctuaries.. In places like Tibet or Nepal, one can often see a large Dharma wheel atop temple roofs, flanked by two deer, symbolizing male and female Buddhist devotees. This emblem serves as a reminder for practitioners to attentively listen to the teachings without distraction, embodying the Buddhist metaphor 'listening to the Dharma like a deer hearing sweet melodies.'. This exquisite Twin Deer Listening to the Dharma offering vessel has been handed down from the Xiaoden Monastery, possessing unparalleled excellence.