Antiques, Artifacts & Fine Collectibles. Chinese Gilded Dragon Medicine Box. Gilt Dragon, Peony Blossoms & Floral Sprays. English Translation of Four-Character Inscription. The Great Tang Dynasty made this covered box. It contains Peony Blossom Petals that are Sweet and Agreeable to the Taste Buds. These Ground Petals Produce a Perfect Wine that Receives Great Admiration and Praise from the Heavens. Translated Inscription on this Tang Dynasty Octagon Box. Two-Piece Octagon Dragon/Peony Medicine Box. 2.6″ wide (66 mm) x 1.5″ (38 mm) tall. Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China, est. This stunning ceremonial Dragon octagon-shaped box is made of metal (appears to be tin) and partially accented with a gilt Dragon and several peony blossoms and floral sprays. The octagon box is accented with both silver and gold by an ancient chemical process using a mercury amalgam called “Gilding and Silvering” {see details below}. On the underside of the small box, it bears the mark of the famous Tang Dynasty, which lasted from 618-907 AD. This ornate box was almost assuredly crafted in the Tang Dynasty capital city Chang’an (modern Xi’an). Xi’an, the current capital of Shaanxi province, is located in the northwest of the People’s Republic of China, in the center of the Guanzhong Plain and has a population of almost 9 million. As one of the oldest cities in China, Xi’an was known as Chang’an before the Ming dynasty. Xi’an is the oldest of the Four Great Ancient Capitals of China, having held the position under several of the most important dynasties in Chinese history, including: Zhou, Qin, Han, Sui, and Tang. Xi’an is the starting point of the Silk Road in China and home to the famous Terracotta Army of Emperor Qin Shi Huang. The outside of the lid and the box are both decorated with gilded floral designs, included peony blossoms, an ancient Chinese symbol of prosperity and the flower of riches and honor. For millennia in China, the peony Mu-Dan. Has been known as the “Queen of Flowers” and a symbol of wealth and distinction among the upper, elite class. Small boxes such as this were believed to hold precious peony blossom petals -in Chinese. Mudan-that in ancient times were believed to relieve headaches and help with asthma. Other sources report that besides their delightful fragrance, peony blossoms were used to make peony water and tea. A wonderful gilded, three-toed Dragon-in low relief- boldly graces the lidded top of this small, eight-sided, peony box. The bold Dragon on this partially gilt peony box suggests that he symbolizes the protection and healing one might hope to have by infusing the peony blossom petals with the magical healing powers of the noble and fierce dragon. REF : CHINA: Dawn of the Golden Age, MET, Edited by James C. This lovely partial gilt box contains four, ancient Chinese compound characters or words that are engraved in “Small Seal Script” or “Lesser Seal Script”—an ancient form of Chinese calligraphy. The four characters are engraved inside a square box with a double-edge border. {see photo # 4}. My rough translation indicates that this inscription is actually a description of the peony decorated box. An expanded, translation in modern English describes. Bronze Mercury Gilding/Silvering in Ancient China. This lovely metal box appears to be coated with an amalgam of silver and then a gold amalgam was applied to the Dragon, peony blossoms, and floral sprays. A stunning work of art created by a master jeweler about 1,200 years ago during the Tang Dynasty. Mercury is a metal that is liquid at room temperature. When combined with gold or silver, it becomes viscous, its consistency becoming similar to that of butter. Mercury gilding is the process in which mercury is mixed with gold to make an amalgam that is applied to the surface of an object. Mercury silvering uses the same process, but the mercury is mixed with silver. When the object is then heated in an oven or over a fire, the mercury evaporates and leaves behind a thin coating of gold or silver. Mercury-gilded/silvered objects must be fired at very high temperatures in order to evaporate the mercury, which boils at 357 degrees Celsius. The evaporation process results in bubble-shaped cavities forming within the coating, requiring a final burnishing step to make it smooth. Mercury gilding was invented in China around the fifth century B. Gold powder and mercury were mixed together to form a paste (also called an amalgam). The paste was applied to bronze or silver surfaces and heated. The mercury would vaporize with heat, leaving a thin layer of gold that was then burnished to give a smooth, shiny, gilded surface. Before electroplating was invented, mercury amalgams were the best choice for producing a smooth, thick coating of gold or silver on a three-dimensional object. The process also had the advantage of being able to be repeated until a coating of the desirable thickness was achieved. However, mercury gilding/silvering is rarely performed today due to its toxicity: when mercury evaporates during the heating process harmful vapors are released. In fact, this technique is illegal in many countries. Philadelphia Museum of Art web page. Dragon Symbolism in China. In China the Dragon (Long) has for millennia been the symbol of the Emperor, the Son of Heaven, eternity, Yang and Yin, as well as for male vigor and fertility. The Dragon is considered as one of the 12 Ornaments and one of the most complex and multi-tiered Chinese symbols. The Chinese dragon is a good natured and benign creature that can fiercely protect one from evil spirits and harm. The bold Dragon on the cover of this small, peony box suggests that he symbolizes the protection and healing one might hope to have by infusing the peony blossom petals with magical healing powers. Mudan huabàn Symbolism in China. Considered the “Queen of Flowers, ” the peony symbolizes spring and a harbinger of good luck. The peony got its real fame during the Tang Dynasty when it was appreciated by the first female Empress in the history of China – Empress Wu Zetian. Wu established: female rights in China, was the only ever female to rule as an empress in China, and several experts claim she basically made the dynasty Tang in to China’s golden age. In the South, the peony is considered the flower of love, affection and feminine beauty, riches and honor. Sometimes, peony blossom are also used as a metaphor for family success and wealth. The peony is among the longest-used flowers in Eastern culture and is one of the smallest living creature national emblems in China. Along with the plum blossom, it is a traditional floral symbol of China, where the Paeonia suffruticosa is called. It is also known as. (fùguìhua) “flower of riches and honor” or. (huawang) “king of the flowers”, and is used symbolically in Chinese art. Macro Polo described peonies as Roses as big as cabbages! Luoyang National Peony Garden is one of the oldest gardens to grow and reproduce peonies in China. It is divided into North Garden and South Garden. There are over one-million peony trees of 1,200 different kinds. The garden is especially famous for the 1600-year-old and 3-meter-high peony king. Just imagine that this blooming peony bush could have supplied the petal blossoms that were put into this small, bronze peony box over 1,000 years ago! In China, the fallen petal of Paeonia lactiflora are parboiled and sweetened as a tea-time delicacy. It appears that what the inscription on this lovely gilt bronze box refers to. Peony water was used for drinking in the middle ages and later the petals were added to salads or to punches and lemonades. Luoyang National Peony Garden. The ancient Chinese city Luoyang has a reputation as a cultivation center for the peonies. Throughout Chinese history, peonies in Luoyang have been said to be the finest in the country. Dozens of peony exhibitions and shows are still held there annually. The Luoyang Peony Festival is very popular among Chinese tourists and peony enthusiasts the world over. Each year from mid-April to mid-May, the peonies are in full bloom, generally reaching their peak during the period April 15th-25th, which is the date set for the annual festival. During the peony fair, gardens are awash with colorful flowers mostly reds mixed with whites, yellows and purples set against a background of thick, vibrant, dark green leaves, like a myriad of precious stones set in bright, shiny rings. The peony blooming here is highly reputed for its big flower, flamboyant color, numerous species and lasting florescence. Blooming date: more than 100 kinds of peonies will first bloom from April 5th to 10th; 500 or so kinds of rare peonies will be in full bloom from April 11th to 20th; other 200 species usually flower late from April 21st to May 4th. In 1903, the Qing Dynasty declared the peony as the national flower. Currently, the Republic of China on Taiwan designates the plum blossom as the national flower, while the People’s Republic of China has no legally designated national flower. The Tang dynasty A. 618-907, with its capital at Chang’an (Xi’an), is regarded by historians as a high point in Chinese civilization – equal, or even superior, to the Han period. During the Tang dynasty China became an expansive, cosmopolitan empire. The capital city, Chang’an, became the world’s largest city and attracted traders and pilgrims from all over the world. This box has a wonderful old, patina that is absolutely fabulous. Close examination with a microscope under natural and black light reveal it to be 100% authentic. There are some minor spots of oxidation and wear from prior use and age. You will not be disappointed! It is exceeding rare to find a partial gilt metal, Tang Dynasty masterpiece for sale. It is a museum quality, ancient Chinese work of art. It is a wonderful piece and would look great displayed next to your other fine ancient Chinese jade and bronze pieces! It would also make a fantastic wedding or anniversary gift for that special couple! It will come with a Certificate of Authenticity (COA) from Ancient Civilizations. Please examine the photos taken indoors carefully as they are part of the description. All Sales are Final! This item is in the category “Antiques\Asian Antiques\China\Other Chinese Antiques”. The seller is “houghton-usa” and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped to United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, France, Australia.

• Chinese Dynasty: Tang
• Region of Origin: China
• Age: Pre-1800
• Primary Material: Partial Gilt-Metal
• Original/Reproduction: Original
• Type: Boxes