A pair of exceedingly rare silver 'Makara' plaques, Song dynasty (960-1279)
Lot 206. A pair of exceedingly rare silver 'Makara' plaques, Song dynasty (960-1279). Height of taller 3 1/4 in., 8.3 cm. Estimate USD 6,000 — 8,000. Courtesy Sotheby's.
each of triangular form pierced with two tiny apertures on each of the sides, the recessed top decorated in repoussé with two pairs of confronting makaras, each with a single horn, a long curled snout, and a sinuous scaly body issuing large pelvic fins and a dorsal fin along the spine, extending to a furcated tail, all against a fine stippled ground.
Provenance: Dai Cun Shu Wu Collection (according to label on the box).
Collection of Frank G. Marcus, until circa 1953.
Collection of Stephen Junkunc, III (d. 1978).
Sotheby's. Junkunc: Arts of Ancient China II, New York, 10 Sep 2019, 02:00 PM