Chinese Double Lotus Base

A small round base wears three bands of carving, from zigzags to petals to scrolls.

This double lotus base is from China. It is marble. The lotus is a central symbol in Buddhist art, where it is generally associated with purity, because the flower rises clean from muddy water. Top face is smooth and slightly clouded, with a decorated border just beneath it, then petals above and below a ridged waist. Cream surface with grey veining on one petal and light wear along the rim. It is 4 inches high and 5.5 in diameter.

Three tiers of decoration for something meant to sit under something else.