Lot 7. A gold foliate stem cup, Tang Dynasty or later; 4.5cm (1 3/4in) high. Sold for HK$177,500 (Estimate HKD140,000 - 180,000/US$18,000 - 23,000). © Bonhams 2001-2021

With shallow lobbed sides rising from a tall spreading stem foot with a raised ring to a flared rim, the sides fully decorated with grape leaves by cloisons, inlaid stones to the leaves missing, the interior of the cup decorated with a makara in repoussé, box.   

Note: Gold stem cups with cloisons might be influenced by Persia, or probably executed by Persian craftsmen living in the Tang Dynasty China, which rarely survived and passed over to today. Compare with a silver stem cup in similar shape, which is illustrated in Zhongguo jinyin boli falangqi quanji, Shijiazhuang, 2004, vol.2, p.3, fig.7.

Bonhams. Chinese Art Online: Arts from the Scholar's Studio Including the Yanqinzhai Collection, Hong Kong, 4 - 19 October 2021