A rare inscribed parcel-gilt silver 'floral' bowl and cover, Liao dynasty, dated to the 5th year of Taiping, corresponding to 1025 | 遼太平五年 (1025年) 銀局部鎏金鏨折枝花卉雙鳳紋蓋盌
Auction Closed
March 20, 05:40 PM GMT
Estimate
40,000 - 60,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
the underside of the bowl inscribed with an inscription translating to 'In the 5th year of Taiping, Zhang Jian, the Regional Military Governor of the Wuding Army, commissioned artisans to make this vessel and respectfully placed in the hall of the Wenzhong Prince mansion'
銘文：
太平五年武定軍節度使臣張儉命工造成又供進文忠王府殿前供養
Diameter 6⅜ in., 16.1 cm
L’or Des Stepps, Arts somptuaires de la dynastie Liao (907-1125), Collections Baur Musée des Arts d'Extrême-Orient, Geneva, 2007, cat. no. 40.
展覽：
《L’or Des Stepps, Arts somptuaires de la dynastie Liao (907-1125)》，鮑氏東方藝術館，日內瓦，2007年，編號40
Zhang Jian (963-1053), a native of Wanping (a district in today's Beijing), was an important high official of the Liao dynasty (916-1125). He achieved the first place in the imperial examination in 14th year of Tonghe (996) and soon began his career serving at the Liao court. He was recorded to have served various government positions, including in 1025 as the Regional Military Governor of the Wuding Army, which corroborates with the inscription on the present bowl.
Wenzhong Prince was possibly Han Derang (941-1011), who was a Liao dynasty aristocrat and an important political figure. Upon his death, he was rewarded the shihao of Wenzhong for his accomplishments and contributions. A mansion was also commissioned to be built for his family. It's possible that Zhang Jian made the present bowl and cover as a gift to the descendants of Han who were residing in the mansion.