Page 13 - 2020 September 21 Elegant Embellishment the RenLu Colelction, Bonham NYC

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301
A RARE GILT BRONZE MODEL OF A SILKWORM
Han dynasty
The segmented body solid cast and supported on four paired legs
on the dimpled body, the neck and lifted head further segmented and
with three paired legs, large patches of gilding evident under the rich
encrusted patina.
2 7/8in (7.4cm) long
US$10,000 - 15,000

漢 鎏金蝅形銅飾一件

The worship of the silkworm can be traced to the Shang Dynasty (
1600 – 1027 BCE ) when it was common to make human sacrifices
during the silkworm ceremony. Representations of the silkworm are
associated with the domestication, rearing of the silk worm, and the
all-important silk weaving industry which was part of the essential
economy of China. From the 3rd Century CE the spirit of the silkworm
personified the Empress Xiling after which the spirit of the silkworm
was worshiped in a special ceremony officiated by the Empress
every year during the second half of the lunar month, with offerings of
mulberry leaves and woven silk at a special altar set up in the silkworm
temple or palace. See examples in the Minneapolis Museum of Art; Gift
of Ruth and Bruce Dayton 96.55.1; J.J. Lally & Co., Chinese Works of
Art May 27-June 18, 1998, no. 21,

潤廬品金 ELEGANT EMBELLISHMENTS | 11