Blue jade longevity character hook cloud Kui dragon pattern candlestick

[Blue jade longevity with cloud Kui dragon pattern candlestick]

Blue jade longevity with cloud Kui dragon pattern candlestick, in the Qing Dynasty, the height of the jade candlestick is 39 cm, the maximum diameter of the tray is 16.2 cm, and the bottom foot diameter is 12.7 cm
The candlestick is made of warm and moist green jade, which is connected by the foot, two columns, two plates and copper braze. The top small plate is embossed with lotus petal pattern, and the upper column is embossed with lotus petal pattern and Ruyi cloud head pattern. Four groups of cloud patterns are embossed on the inside of the middle plate, and two groups of Kui dragon patterns are embossed on the outside plate. Kui dragon has a protruding face, oval eyes, cloud-shaped nose, and body curls and extends to both sides. The lower column is cut with a drum belly, and the drum belly is carved with four groups of “longevity” characters with double dragon arms. The bottom foot is inverted bell shaped, embossed with lotus petals, Ruyi clouds and two groups of Kui dragon patterns, with the dragon head protruding and exaggerated, and the body curling back to both sides. The candlestick is placed on the copper filigree enamel holder. The enamel base is decorated with echo pattern, lotus pattern and animal face pattern, and the style is consistent with that of the jade candlestick. It can be seen that it was a unified design at that time
The candlestick is a pair, one of a group of donors. Generally, there are a group of five offerings, including an incense burner, a pair of candlesticks, and a pair of goblets, which are called “five offerings”. The five offerings, also known as “five offerings”, are offerings of incense, flowers, lamps, water and fruit on the altar. The incense inserted in the furnace can reach up to three places for ten days, and down to nine secludes and five paths. The flowers are placed in the flower goblet and are dedicated to the exotic flowers in the sky. The candlestick lights up the sky, hell and me. Water is the treasure slurry of the heavens. It purifies the ghosts and restores the true shape. The fruit is the precious fruit of Qionglin, which is dedicated to the heavens, and has the intention of bearing fruit. This set of five offerings, including this pair of candlesticks, was originally set up in the Palace of Mercy and Tranquility for the Empress Dowager.