Two 'famille-rose' Buddhist Altar Figures Seal marks and period of Qianlong

two figures from a set of 'Seven Royal Treasures' consisting of the 'Able Minister' and the 'Woman', each seated atop a stylized lotus pedestal rising from a beribboned vase holding feathers set on a wide splayed base, the underside inscribed with a six-character reign mark in iron-red on a turquoise ground, the bearded 'Minister' dressed in a yellow robe with a flowing green ribbon, wearing a golden crown around his head and holding a flaming jewel in his right hand, the 'Woman' with blue hair tied in a chignon secured by a crown, dressed in a pale blue robe worn over a pink skirt, encircled by a coral-red ribbon, and similarly holding a flaming jewel in her right hand

The Minister has been broken and restuck to the top of the vase where the feathers begin. There are also restored breaks to the tips of his sleeves, and sections of the green ribbon. The edge of his robe has a 5 mm chip. The Woman also has been broken and restuck across the top of the vase at the point where the feathers begin. She also has sections of the orange ribbon, a few tips of the trefoils that hang pendant from the base, the tips of her yellow ribbons around her head, her fingertips, and tips of her sleeves that have had some light restoration. The overall condition is still quite good for both figures.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

It is rare to find this type of altar emblems in ceramic form, and no complete set appears to have been published. The fragility and limited production of these altar wares may contribute to their scarcity. A related pair consisting of an elephant and a horse, with iron-red Qianlong sealmarks and of the period, was sold at Christie's London, 8^th June 2004, lot 437. A number of sets exist in various materials; for example see a set carved from dark-green jade in the Palace Museum, Beijing, included in the exhibition China. The Three Emperors 1662-1795, Royal Academy of Arts, London, 2005, cat. no. 45; and an enamelled gilt-copper set also in the Palace Museum, Beijing, included in the exhibition Buddhist Art from Rehol. Tibetan Buddhist Images and Ritual Objects from the Qing Dynasty Summer Palace at Chengde, Chang Foundation, Taipei, 1999, cat. no. 69. A number of sets of the Seven Treasures of various materials, in the National Palace Museum, Taipei, were included in A Special Exhibition of Buddhist Gilt Votive Objects, National Palace Museum, Taipei, 1995, cat. nos 22-27.

The 'Seven Royal Treasures' consist of a golden wheel, dark swift horses, white elephants, loyal generals, able ministers of the Treasury, jewels of women and divine pearls.  Based on an Indian myth, the 'wheel-turning sage king' (Sanskrit cakravarti-raja) possessed the Seven Treasures, which would aid him in ruling his domain.  Later, the Seven Royal Treasures were inherited by Buddhism and taken as offerings presented to Sakyamuni Buddha. Due to the symbols being associated with the sage kings, with whom the Chinese emperors often liked to identify themselves, the symbols became popular decorative motifs in the Imperial Palace.