Formed of two removable parts, the lock is cast in high relief on each side with dragons confronting a 'flaming pearl' amidst cloud-scrolls, the lock is accompanied with a lock pin. Measure lock 18,7x6 cm. Length key 26.2 cm.
Surface dirt.
Provenance
From the Collection of Christer R. Christensson, born 1941. Christers work life took him across the globe a fact that has shaped his Art collection. When we asked Christer about the reason for collecting art, motorcycles, cars and locks, his eyes light up and he talks passionately of the fantastic collaboration between function and form. An object being a sculptural artwork at the same time it has a function.
Purchased in Hong Kong in 1989.
Exhibitions
Compare with a pair that bears Qianlong mark, sold at Christies Live auction 2832, Important Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, lot 3016, 1 Dec 2010.
Literature
To read more about this kind of locks, see Martina Pall, The Asian Padlock, objects from the Schell Collection Graz, p. 10-83.
Art of Chins, Highlights of the Museum of Philadelfia, Edited by Hiromi Kinoshita, compare with a lock of thist type but with Qianlong mark on page 199.
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