LIAO DYNASTY (AD 907-1125)

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 flower' 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.