Page 36 - Fine Chinese Ceramics Sept 2016

PROPERTY FROM A PRIVATE AMERICAN COLLECTION

1223
A RARE PARCEL-GILT SILVER BOX AND COVER
LIAO DYNASTY (AD 907-1125)
The domed cover is decorated with a repoussé design of a single three-clawed dragon
pursuing a faming pearl encircled by a row of raised bosses. The body is decorated with
bands of phoenixes in fight between fower sprays, and further decorated with bands of
foliate scrolls and petal lappets. The whole is raised on a splayed foot and highlighted in
gilding and reserved on a fne ring-punched ground.
5 in. (12.7 cm.) diam.
$15,000-20,000

PROVENANCE

Acquired in Indiana in the mid-1950s and thence by descent within the family.
Silver boxes of the present form and decoration are extremely rare. Compare a parcel-gilt
silver box and cover of smaller size and with ‘bird and fower’ decoration, illustrated in
The Great Treasury of Chinese Fine Arts-Arts and Crafts, vol. 10: Gold, Silver, Glass and
Enamelware, Beijing, 1987, p. 32, pls. 66 and 67. It is interesting to note that the form and
design of Liao silver wares can also be found in Five Dynasties and early Northern Song
ceramics. Compare a Yue box of similar form, but with lotus motif, sold at Christie’s
New York, 15 September 2009, lot 321.
遼 銀鎏金龍鳳紋蓋盒

(cover)

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