Page 131 - Sotheby's Asia Week March 2024 Chinee Art

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A RARE INSCRIBED PARCEL-GILT SILVER 遼太平五年 (1025年) 銀局部鎏金鏨折枝花
‘FLORAL’ BOWL AND COVER, LIAO DYNASTY, 卉雙鳳紋蓋盌
DATED TO THE 5TH YEAR OF TAIPING,
CORRESPONDING TO 1025 銘文：
太平五年武定軍節度使臣張儉命工造成又供進文忠王
the underside of the bowl inscribed with an inscription 府殿前供養
translating to ‘In the 5th year of Taiping, Zhang Jian,
the Regional Military Governor of the Wuding Army,
commissioned artisans to make this vessel and respectfully 展覽：
placed in the hall of the Wenzhong Prince mansion’ 《L’or Des Stepps, Arts somptuaires de la
Diameter 6⅜ in., 16.1 cm dynastie Liao (907-1125)》，鮑氏東方藝術館，日
內瓦，2007年，編號40
EXHIBITED
L’or Des Stepps, Arts somptuaires de la dynastie Liao
(907-1125), Collections Baur Musée des Arts d’Extrême-
Orient, Geneva, 2007, cat. no. 40.
Zhang Jian (963-1053), a native of Wanping (a district in
today’s Beijing), was an important high official of the Liao
dynasty (916-1125). He achieved the first place in the imperial
examination in 14th year of Tonghe (996) and soon began
his career serving at the Liao court. He was recorded to have
served various government positions, including in 1025 as
the Regional Military Governor of the Wuding Army, which
corroborates with the inscription on the present bowl.
Wenzhong Prince was possibly Han Derang (941-1011), who
was a Liao dynasty aristocrat and an important political
figure. Upon his death, he was rewarded the shihao of
Wenzhong for his accomplishments and contributions. A
mansion was also commissioned to be built for his family.
It’s possible that Zhang Jian made the present bowl and
cover as a gift to the descendants of Han who were residing
in the mansion.
⊖ $ 40,000-60,000

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