A PAIR OF GOLD MAKARA-FORM EARRINGS

LIAO DYNASTY (907-1125)

Details

A PAIR OF GOLD MAKARA-FORM EARRINGS
LIAO DYNASTY (907-1125)
Each in the form of a hollow dragon/fish formed by two pieces worked in repoussé in high relief and then joined together, each finely detailed with fins and scales, with a bifurcated crest on top of the head opposite a flower bud projecting below the mouth; together with five small hollow globular buttons, Liao dynasty, with chased decoration around the sides and attached to a small loop
Earrings 1½ in. (3.8 cm.) high including hook; buttons ¾ in. (1.9 cm.) with loop, fitted box
Wt. earrings 10.6 g.; buttons 3.2 - 3.6 g. (7)

Provenance

Acquired in the 1980s.

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Lot Essay

A single gold earring of this shape excavated in 1992 from a Liao dynasty tomb in Inner Mongolia is illustrated by Yu Jianshe, ed., Essence of Chifeng Historical Relics Series, 2006, p. 47, no. CJ031. See, also, the similar earring of slightly larger size (5.7 cm.) dated to the Liao dynasty illustrated by Julia M. White and Emma C. Bunker, Adornment for Eternity: Status and Rank in Chinese Ornament, Denver Art Museum, 1994, p. 158, no. 71.

A Technical Examination Report is available upon request.

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