Thomas Del Mar - Arms & Armour

336
A RARE PAIR OF MONGOLIAN LONG CEREMONIAL
BANNERS, 19TH CENTURY
of brocaded Chinese silk, each comprising a cylindrical
canopy formed of a broad blue band between a pair of red
and yellow bands, carrying twenty streamers in the colours
of the Five Elements, with silk tassels and brass finials,
woven throughout with with lotus flowers and foliage
enriched with silver thread, and lined with blue cotton
204.5cm; 80I in high
336
The five elements theory was introduced from China along
with feng-shui and astrological practices. The colours of the
five elements are as follows, green for Wood, red for Fire,
yellow for Earth, blue for Water, and white for Metal. This
type of canopy was principally used in the palaces of
important Lamas and in major temples.
£3000-4000
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