Chinese Double Lotus Base

Ivory block with a hairline crack across the face and a golden, sun-baked tint.

This double lotus base is from China. It is marble. In China, carved stone bases and pedestals were made to support statues, vessels and ritual objects, and lotus petals are among the most common decorations. Flat top and slightly bulging shoulders hide the upper border under a yellow glaze of wear. Petals ring the upper and lower tiers, separated by fine ridges, and a diagonal scratch crosses the lower half. It is 4 inches high and 5.5 in diameter.

A little cracked, a little golden, still completely upright.