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An enamelled silver 'abstinence' plaque, Qing dynasty. 7.3 cm…
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Sydney
Date:
22-Apr-2021
Lot No.
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Description:
An enamelled silver 'abstinence' plaque, Qing dynasty. 7.3 cm long, 60g. Small abstinence plaques, such as the current lot, were physical signs of the ceremonial requirement for abstinence before worship of ancestors, the Heavens or other deities. The required abstinence usually lasted for three days and involved refraining from drinking alcohol, eating meat and fragrant herbs such as onions, chives and garlic, and from any intimate acts. Devotional in origin, the small plaque would have functioned as a private aide-memoir to the wearer to abstain from earthly pleasures, but became in itself a thing of beauty, admired openly in public and denoting the status of the wearer.
Estimate:
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Price:
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Category:
Unclassified