작품 상세

A PARCEL-GILT IRON ‘DRAGON’ POMMEL PLATE FROM A HORSE SADDLE Tibetan-Chinese, 17th-18th century or earlier. Arched in form with elongated, outward-flaring ends to fit the saddle, finely executed in openwork to depict a pair of confronting dragons, their sinuous bodies, highlighted in gilt with neatly incised scales, writhing amidst scrolling tendrils accented with silver, as they chase the flaming pearl that crowns the composition. Provenance: From The Sam and Myrna Myers Collection, Paris, France. Acquired between circa 1965-2012. Condition: Good condition with old wear and typical manufacturing irregularities. Distinct traces of usage. Minor warping. Sparse minute nicks and shallow surface scratches. Expected rubbing to gilding and tarnishing to silver. The iron surface with small patches of rust to the interior. Weight: 407.5 g Dimensions: Length 28.2 cm Expert’s note: The present pommel plate belongs to a small corpus of closely related Tibetan saddles, exhibiting strong Chinese influences that may originate from a single workshop or represent a specific type developed within one region. Notable features include the dynamic dragons, expertly worked in relief against the scrollwork background, and the unusual decorative technique of highlighting selected design elements in silver, such as the flaming pearl at the center of the composition. The Sino-Tibetan style and the refined craftsmanship suggest that the saddle to which this pommel plate belonged may have been presented as a gift to a high Tibetan lama. Literature comparison: Compare a closely related parcel-gilt iron pommel plate, Eastern Tibet or China, possibly 17th-18th century, 26 cm long, in the Metropolitan Museum of Art, object number 2000.404. Compare a closely related set of parcel-gilt pommel plates, Central Asia, c. 15th century, 24 cm long, in the Khalili Collections, accession number MTW 1560. Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Christie’s New York, 20 September 2006, lot 186 Price: USD 45,600 or approx. EUR 61,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Description: A gold and silver damascened iron decorated saddle, Tibet, 15th-17th century Expert remark: Compare the related form of the pommel plate with similar ‘dragon’ ornamental motifs and parcel-gilt iron decoration. Note the lot also comprises the skirts and the back cantle of the saddle.

재료

Gold