LIAO DYNASTY (907-1125)

Details

A GOLD DRAGON AND A PAIR OF GOLD EARRINGS
Liao dynasty (907-1125)
The writhing body of the five-clawed dragon curved in an S-shaped motion with the head turned backwards, the finely detailed head with long jaw, the elongated body cast with fins flaring out at the tail; The hollow gold earrings shaped as arched dragon-fish pursuing pearls, the bodies finely worked in high relief repousse, with gold-wires attached to the fishes' mouth forming the earring hooks.
2 in. (5.1 cm.) high; the earrings each 1 5/8 in. (4.1 cm.) wide (3)

Special notice

VAT rate of 5% is payable on hammer price plus buyer's premium.

Lot Essay

Both acquired in December 1993.

For an almost identical earring, compare Julia M. White and Emma C. Bunker, Adornment for Eternity: Status and Rank in Chinese Ornament, Seattle, 1996, pl. 71; and another similar pair illustrated in In Pursuit of antiquities: Fifty-Fith Anniversary of the Min Chiu Society, November 22, 1995 - February 18, 1996, Hong Kong, 1995, pl. 160.

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