A GOLD- AND SILVER-INLAID BRONZE ‘KUILONG’ BELT HOOK, EASTERN HAN DYNASTY

拍品描述

A GOLD- AND SILVER-INLAID BRONZE ‘KUILONG’ BELT HOOK, EASTERN HAN DYNASTY China, 1st-2nd century AD. This belt hook is primarily crafted from bronze, featuring a classic pipa-shaped body with an elegant, flowing silhouette and graceful curves, terminating in a finely modeled dragon-head form hook. The surface is adorned with intricate gold and silver inlay work, featuring densely woven patterns of kuilong, the underside with a circular button decorated with a triple comma swirl in silver. Dimensions: Length 12.2 cm Kuilong, a mythical one-legged beast from ancient Chinese legends, frequently appeared on bronze, gold, and silver artifacts from the pre-Qin to Han periods, symbolizing authority, auspiciousness, and mystical power. Crafted with a bronze core and adorned with precious gold-and-silver inlay, this belt hook exemplifies the superb metalworking skills of the Eastern Han Dynasty while reflecting the aristocracy and literati class's emphasis on clothing decoration and status symbols. The pipa-shaped belt hook was a common form during the Eastern Han to the Wei and Jin dynasties. The present lot, with its exquisite craftsmanship and magnificent ornamentation, serves as vital evidence for studying Eastern Han metalworking, costume culture, and decorative aesthetics. Literature comparison: Compare a related gold inlaid pipa-form bronze belt hook in the National Museum of Taiwan History, collection number 89-00154. Auction result comparison: Type: Closely related Auction: Bonhams London, 5 November 2009, lot 15 Price: GBP 5,040 or approx. EUR 10,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the closely related form and manner of decoration, with the slender curved shaft intricately inlaid in gold and silver with geometric and scrolling designs, similarly terminating in a finely modeled dragon-head hook. Note the slightly larger size (14 cm).

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