TANG DYNASTY (AD 618-907)

During the Tang dynasty, small gold and silver circular boxes were used for various purposes including holding medicinal powders and beauty products. Silver boxes were far more prevalent, many of which were gilded or parcel-gilt, a less expensive alternative to the more prestigious gold. Two other rare, small gold boxes in the collection of Pierre Uldry are illustrated in Chinesisches Gold und Silber, Zürich, 1994, p. 170, nos. 164 and 165.