Lot 59. A fine and very rare parcel-gilt 'rhinoceros' silver dish , Tang dynasty, 8th-9th century, 15.2cm., 6in. Estimate 40,000 — 60,000 GBP. Lot sold 390,100 GBP. Photo: Sotheby's. of shallow circular shape, the flaring sides supported on a short splayed...

Lot 64. A superb and very rare parcel-gilt bowl and cover, Tang dynasty, 8th-9th century; 24.2cm., 9 1/2 in. Estimate 300,000 — 400,000 GBP. Lot sold 1,588,500 GBP. Photo: Sotheby's. the bowl with widely flared sides divided on the interior into five...

An extremely rare Imperial parcel-gilt iron helmet. Qing dynasty, Qianlong period. Photo Sotheby's thinly cast in iron in a dome shape, the exterior decorated in gilt with a frieze of Sanskrit characters written with raised beaded edges, interrupted by...

A rare parcel-gilt bronze octafoil mirror. Tang dynasty (618-907). Photo: Christie's Images Ltd 2012 Of linghua (water chestnut flower) shape and crisply cast, the knob surrounded by four animals shown in lively positions as they frolic atop a flowering...

A courtly parcel-gilt, tortoiseshell and eglomise mounted casket, c. 1700. p hoto Nagel Auktionen 24x45x42 cm. Estimate 15000 € Nagel Auktionen. February 15th 2012. www.auction.de

An Italian rococo red-painted and parcel-gilt mirror. Venice, circa 1760. Photo: Courtesy Sotheby's the cartouche-shaped plate within a molded, scrolled border decorated with oval portrait medallians, fitted all around with foliate scrolls and flowerheads....