Lot 1292. Three silver-gilt repoussé boxes and covers, Liao-Song dynasty or later; 4, 6 and 5¼ in. (10, 15.3 and 13.3 cm.) across. Estimate USD 7,000 - USD 9,000. Price realised USD 25,000. © Christie's Images Ltd 2011.

One of hexafoil form, the domed cover chased with four parrots in flight against a ground of foliate scroll above a key-fret border and a band of similar scroll interspersed with birds in flight, with a wide band of palmette scroll at the rim of the cover and box, and further foliate scroll on the sides of the box, raised on a spreading pedestal foot; one of lobed square shape, the cover chased with a flower head in the center and pairs of doves amidst flower sprays in the corners, with similar flower decoration within a zigzag pattern on the sides; the third a double box of joined circular sections raised on a conforming foot, the two domed halves of the cover chased with long-tailed birds in flight amidst flowers on a fine ring-punched ground, with bands of diaper pattern at the rims. 

Provenance: Spink & Son, London, c. 1980.

Christie's. Fine Chinese Ceramics and Works of Art Part I and Part II Including Property from the Arthur M. Sackler Collections, New York, 24 March 2011