#3022

Date: Liao Dynasty (c. 916-1125 CE)
Medium: Gold and porcelain
Subject: Vessel
Size: 2" high, 2 ¾" diameter
XRF analysis

Sweeping leaves and full blossoms in openwork gold sheet encase the rounded form of this petite porcelain vessel
Two sheets of hand worked metal are joined by tiny tabs, securing the foil snugly to the swollen curves of the little pot. Beneath the gold, a slight gray-green tint is notable in thick pools of the otherwise clear glaze.

#3046

Date: Korean Goryeo Dynasty (c. 918-1392 CE)
Medium: Gold
Subject: Vessel on stand
Size: 4 3/8" high
XRF analysis
Independent examination by Stoetzer, Inc.

The strikingly crisp high relief of this set of artifacts is a notable trait of some of the finest Goryeo dynasty metal work. The technique is known as "beat and impress", and was used on various objects, including similar containers which may have served as Buddhist "pure water" vessels. On the body of the gourd-shaped bottle, tiny flowers surround lobed medallions which encircle pairs of flying phoenix. An unopened lotus bud forms the upper bulb of the bottle, while open blooms adorn the shoulder and bottom of the vessel. Crowning the artifact is another closed flower bud, which forms the finial of the petite stopper. The eight lobes of the ring-stand each display a single bird, enclosed in an eight-lobed border. The birds alternate, with every other one being upside down, so that half of the birds are upright regardless of on which side the ring is laid. As with the vessel, these medallions are surrounded by tiny raised flowers on a delicate ring-matte ground. On the top and bottom of the stand, an inner ring of flowers repeats the lobed design of the outer edges.

#3093

Date: c. 2nd century BCE
Medium: Gold
Subject: Ornament
Size: 5 9/16" diameter
XRF analysis
Independent examination by Stoetzer, Inc.

Circular Gold Plaque with Scene of Lion Attacking a Stag Leaping upon and biting the back of a galloping stag, the lion in this plaque seems assured of a successful hunt. The power and majesty of nature, including its more savage side, were a favorite in the art of the ancient Scythian culture. A warrior people, living a largely nomadic existence on the Eurasian Steppe, the Scythians nonetheless displayed a great appreciation for, if not love of, fine art. Thousands of artifacts of wood, bone, silver and gold have been recovered that demonstrate not only a broad taste in themes, but which speak of the significant cross-cultural communication enjoyed by these fascinating people.
Among the wealth of excavated Scythian artifacts is a 5th century BCE gold finial, the flattened top of which depicts a similar scene of a spotted leopard biting the neck of a stag, upon whose back it stands. That famous work of art, which graces the cover of the book Scythian Gold, by Ellen Reeder, was excavated in Ukraine, the homeland of the ancient Scythians. Through migration, exploration and trade, artifacts from the Scythian kingdom made their way across the Eurasian Steppe and into what is now Outer Mongolia, where the plaque see here was purportedly excavated. The origin of such imagery, however, may never be entirely clear. A remarkably similar combat scene between a lion and stag, such as is seen here, appears in the form of a pair of appliqués attributed to the Thracians of the 4th century BCE. Like the Scythians, this group is known to have reached as far north east as modern Ukraine and into Russia. It may never be known if one culture copied the works of another, or if all of these feline and stag combat scenes were crafted by the same people, before finding their way into the hands of other cultures.

#3095

Date: Tang Dynasty (c. 618 – 907 CE)
Medium: Gold on silver
Subject: Flask
Size: 10 ¾" high
XRF analysis & Independent analysis

Covered in intricate patterns, this shape of vessel, known as a cockscomb flask, is much more commonly encountered in pottery and porcelain than silver. Most of the ceramic pieces are attributed to the Liao Dynasty. Actually, at this time, only one similar silver vessel is known, unearthed in Chifeng and is dated to the Tang Dynasty. Attributed to the Tang Dynasty, this large vessel is crafted from hammered sheets of silver, with areas highlighted by rich gilding. Incised feather borders outline panels decorated with scrolling vines and running deer in a Sassanian style, set against a ring matte ground.