A SMALL PARCEL-GILT BOX AND COVER 10TH CENTURY

of oblong shape with straight sides, the slightly domed cover decorated in repousse with a pair of flying ducks each holding the sash of a tied ribbon in their beak and set against a ground filled with a cash pattern encircled by a band of overlapping petals

Chinese Gold and Silver in the Carl Kempe Collection, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C., 1954-55, cat. no. 139.

 

 

Bo Gyllensvärd, Chinese Gold and Silver in the Carl Kempe Collection, Stockholm, 1953, pl. 139.

Han Wei, Hai nei wai Tangdai jin yin qi cuibian [Tang Gold and Silver in Chinese and overseas collections], Xi'an, 1989, pl. 252.

Chinese Gold and Silver in the Carl Kempe Collection, The Museum of Art and Far Eastern Antiquities in Ulricehamn, Ulricehamn, 1999, pl. 141.

The silver of both the box and the cover shows some minor areas of pitting. A ring on the base of the box suggests that it may have rested on a footring which is now missing. There are two small holes to the base (ca. 0.4cm). The surface of both cover and box shows very light overall wear and scratching.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

A very similar jade box and cover were among the precious offerings recovered from the 'underground palace' (digong) of the Jingzhi Temple pagoda at Dingzhou, Hebei province, which was built in AD 977, included in the exhibition Treasures from the Underground Palaces. Excavated Treasures from Northern Song Pagodas, Dingzhou, Hebei Province, China, Idemitsu Museum of Arts, Tokyo, 1997, cat.no. 26.