Description
Precious Sassanian and Central Asian metalwork had been imported to China as early as the 4th and 5th centuries as a result of wars and prosperous trade along the Silk Road. With the influx of foreign metalworkers to cosmopolitan Tang China, the techniques of sheet metalworking were introduced to the Chinese. This silver vessel demonstrates the effects of such east-west exchanges along the Silk Road. Its decoration with intricate gilt, incised and chased designs against a ring-punched ground is of a particularly high standard.
Provenance
David David-Weill [1871–1952] Collection, Paris, France, consigned to Sotheby's London for sale (?–1972); (Sotheby's London, England, An auction of Chinese Bronzes and Objects of Art from the D. David-Weill Collection. February 29, 1972 sale. Lot no. 167. Sold to Spink & Son, Ltd.) (February 29, 1972); (Spink & Son, Ltd., London, England, sold to the Cleveland Museum of Art) (February 29–May 3, 1972); The Cleveland Museum of Art, Cleveland, OH (May 3, 1972–)
Accession Number
1972.39
Medium
silver with gilt, incised, and chased decoration
Dimensions
Diameter: 4.8 x 30.5 cm (1 7/8 x 12 in.)
Classification
Silver
Credit Line
Leonard C. Hanna Jr. Fund
