Title
Leaf-shaped box with pairs of birds
Year/Period
Tang dynasty, around 830s
Region
China
Material
Dimension
Object Size: 2005.1.00866.001 1.5 x 6.5 x 8 cm,
Object Size: 2005.1.00866.002 1 x 8.5 x 6.5 cm
Object Size: 2005.1.00866.002 1 x 8.5 x 6.5 cm
Accession No.
2005.1-00866
Collection of
Credit Line
The Tang Shipwreck was acquired through the generous donation of the Estate of Khoo Teck Puat.
The group of gilded-silver boxes recovered from the shipwreck are exquisitely decorated on all sides, most with a design in relief on the top and a different motif chased on the bottom. The cover and base of this box are both decorated with a pair of birds amid scrolling foliage. Such small boxes are thought to have been used as containers for cosmetics, incense, medicines or other precious substances. Leaf-shaped boxes are a particularly rare form.
