Description Large ceremonial vessel in the shape of a pilgrim bottle Pinang Hu
Partially gold-plated silver plate embossed (repoussé) in several parts, soldered on the narrow sides, the
Silver clearly blackened, at the soldered seam black patina with single malachite coloured spots, probably caused by the use of copper-containing solder
Height appx. 280 mm, width appx. 170 mm, depth appx. 105 mm
Probably T’ang time 618-907 A.D., but maybe Liao time 907-1125 A.D.
Provenance: Sotheby’s London 1995, private collection Austria
Two phoenixes rise on each of the two sides of the show with magnificent, sweeping spread tail feathers, between them a flower, possibly a magnolia, and cloud or wave motives. Birds and flowers were highlighted by fire gilding.
On the upper edge next to the spout, two gilded monkeys sit in front of the eyelets for the suspension.
This is undoubtedly a very characteristic object for the presumed time of origin, for which the Xi’an Museum has excellent comparative pieces made of silver, also partially gilded. For example, the famous bowl with the dancing horse in the same technique, which has been shown in many exhibitions, including in Europe and America, and is depicted in most books about the so-called Golden Age in Chang’an.
There are also the later, also rare, but somewhat more common than those made of silver, versions in green or ochre glazed ceramics, mainly from the Liao period. See also the quite revealing remark in the auction catalogue of Sotheby’s in London: A Private Collection of Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art, December 8th, 1995, lot 359:
‘...It is extremely rare to find a flask of this type with two applied figures...’
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