Altar vase (one of a pair)
These vases’ bulbous bodies and cloud-shaped loop handles with rings resonate stylistically with the Ming imperial altar vase at the Qutan Monastery. Although they bear no reign marks or gilding, their imposing form and fine casting indicate that they were products of the imperial workshops of the fifteenth century. Originally, they served as flower vases on a ritual altar, where they would have been placed together with an incense burner and two candlesticks.
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