Lot 1006.  A rare small parcel-gilt silver cup, Tang dynasty (618-907); 2¼ in. (5.8 cm.) high. Estimate USD 20,000 - USD 30,000.  © Christie's Image Ltd 2010.

Finely incised around the midsection with a continuous band of scrolling grape vine picked out in gilding and reserved on a ring-punched ground, repeated beneath the flared rim, with a single loop handle applied with two rivets, the whole raised on a short foot encircling a single flower head on the convex base

Provenance: Isabel Mayer Oriental Antiques, late 1950s.

Note: A smaller (4.5 cm.) Tang dynasty silver cup of closely related form, incised with a different style of floral scroll, from the Kempe Collection, was sold at Sotheby's, London, 14 May 2008, lot 43.

Lot 1007. A small parcel-gilt silver box and cover, Tang dynasty (618-907); 1 15/16 in. (5 cm.) diam. Estimate USD 8,000 - USD 12,000. Price realised 22,500 USD. © Christie's Image Ltd 2010.

Incised on both box and cover with five birds perched amidst a leafy floral scroll, the narrow sides incised with small billowy clouds, all with faint traces of gilding and reserved on the ring-punched ground, box.

Provenance: Acquired in Europe, 15 March 1981.