The Property of a Gentleman, to be offered without reserve (Lots 1...
The Property of a Gentleman, to be offered without reserve (Lots 1 - 56)
A Chinese silver gilt repoussé box and cover
Tang dynasty
Decorated with a pair of cranes in flight surrounded by a border of leafy scrolling flowers, the sides also with fruits and flowers, 6cm diameter. (Import Duty Charged on the Hammer Price) 落槌價徵收進口關稅
Provenance: British private collection, assembled in Hong Kong 1988-1998.
Yue Gu Zhai Antique Co., Hong Kong, 5th August 1997 (receipt).
唐 銀鎏金花鳥紋蓋盒
來源：英國私人收藏，於1988至1998年間在香港購藏。
香港Yue Gu Zhai Antique Co.，1997年8月5日（附收據）。
This type of covered box derives from the lacquered cosmetic-box tradition dating back to the Han dynasty, while also reflecting the aesthetic of gold and silver wares introduced along the Silk Road. Small in scale and thin-walled, the box is fashioned from silver sheet worked by the repoussé technique and assembled by soldering, with a fitted rim and recessed cover forming a close join. The cover is decorated with cranes amid floral motifs, the intricate ornamentation arranged with a pleasing sense of balance and restraint.
The use of gold and silver wares during the Tang dynasty was governed by strict legal distinctions of rank and by the regulations of court ritual. The materials of one’s vessels and everyday implements served as visible markers of status and social standing. According to historical sources including the Tang Huiyao (唐會要) and the Tanglü Shuyi (唐律疏議), the Tang court prescribed clear distinctions in the materials permitted for tableware and domestic utensils. Officials below the first rank and down to the fifth rank were prohibited from using vessels made of solid gold or jade, but were permitted to use silver and silver-gilt wares. For officials of the sixth rank and below, the restrictions were more stringent, explicitly prohibiting the use of solid silver vessels.
此類蓋盒源自漢代以來的漆奁傳統，又結合以絲綢之路傳來的金銀器審美。盒小，壁薄，以銀板锤揲之法敲琢，焊接成形，子母口相合。盒蓋裝飾以仙鶴花卉紋，繁而不亂。
唐代對金銀器的使用有著嚴格的法律等級限制與宮廷禮制規範，所使用的器具是彰顯身分與社會地位的標誌。根據《唐會要》與《唐律疏議》等史料記載，唐代朝廷對食器與生活用具的材質有著明確的等級劃分：一品至五品官員：食器「不得用渾金玉」（即不得使用純金或純玉製成的器皿），但可以使用銀器及銀鎏金器物。六品及以下官員：限制更為嚴格，明文規定「不得用渾銀」（即不得使用純銀器）。
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The Property of a Gentleman, to be offered without reserve (Lots 1 - 56)
A Chinese silver gilt repoussé box and cover
Tang dynasty
Decorated with a pair of cranes in flight surrounded by a border of leafy scrolling flowers, the sides also with fruits and flowers, 6cm diameter. (Import Duty Charged on the Hammer Price) 落槌價徵收進口關稅
Provenance: British private collection, assembled in Hong Kong 1988-1998.
Yue Gu Zhai Antique Co., Hong Kong, 5th August 1997 (receipt).
唐 銀鎏金花鳥紋蓋盒
來源：英國私人收藏，於1988至1998年間在香港購藏。
香港Yue Gu Zhai Antique Co.，1997年8月5日（附收據）。
This type of covered box derives from the lacquered cosmetic-box tradition dating back to the Han dynasty, while also reflecting the aesthetic of gold and silver wares introduced along the Silk Road. Small in scale and thin-walled, the box is fashioned from silver sheet worked by the repoussé technique and assembled by soldering, with a fitted rim and recessed cover forming a close join. The cover is decorated with cranes amid floral motifs, the intricate ornamentation arranged with a pleasing sense of balance and restraint.
The use of gold and silver wares during the Tang dynasty was governed by strict legal distinctions of rank and by the regulations of court ritual. The materials of one’s vessels and everyday implements served as visible markers of status and social standing. According to historical sources including the Tang Huiyao (唐會要) and the Tanglü Shuyi (唐律疏議), the Tang court prescribed clear distinctions in the materials permitted for tableware and domestic utensils. Officials below the first rank and down to the fifth rank were prohibited from using vessels made of solid gold or jade, but were permitted to use silver and silver-gilt wares. For officials of the sixth rank and below, the restrictions were more stringent, explicitly prohibiting the use of solid silver vessels.
此類蓋盒源自漢代以來的漆奁傳統，又結合以絲綢之路傳來的金銀器審美。盒小，壁薄，以銀板锤揲之法敲琢，焊接成形，子母口相合。盒蓋裝飾以仙鶴花卉紋，繁而不亂。
唐代對金銀器的使用有著嚴格的法律等級限制與宮廷禮制規範，所使用的器具是彰顯身分與社會地位的標誌。根據《唐會要》與《唐律疏議》等史料記載，唐代朝廷對食器與生活用具的材質有著明確的等級劃分：一品至五品官員：食器「不得用渾金玉」（即不得使用純金或純玉製成的器皿），但可以使用銀器及銀鎏金器物。六品及以下官員：限制更為嚴格，明文規定「不得用渾銀」（即不得使用純銀器）。
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