A GILT-SILVER 'DRAGON-HEAD' ORNAMENT

Liao Dynasty

Footnotes

遼 銀鎏金龍吞

The Liao Dynasty was a northern dynasty established by the Khitan people. Its craftsmanship in gold and silverware ingeniously blended nomadic steppe culture, Han Chinese styles from the Central Plains, and Buddhist artistic elements, forming a distinctive artistic style. The silver-gilt dragon-head ornament served as a crucial decorative component on the horse tack or attire of Liao nobility. Featuring a dragon head as its central motif, it combined practical functionality with symbolic significance. This artifact was crafted by hand-hammering silver sheets into the outline of a dragon's head. Intricate engraving techniques were then employed to depict detailed patterns such as scales and mane. Its form presents a vivid depiction: mouth open revealing fangs, eyes wide and round, mane flowing dynamically. This powerful expression of movement profoundly reflects the Khitan people's reverence for strength. Hollow inside, the artifact could be fitted onto the ends of a saddle stirrup, belt, or quiver, serving both functional and decorative purposes. While absorbing the essence of Central Plains dragon culture, the Khitan developed an artistic style emphasizing fierce, dynamic vigor, particularly the depiction of leaping motion, forming a stark contrast to the auspicious, benevolent dragons of Han tradition. As a symbol of military authority, this artifact was commonly found adorning the equipment of Khitan nobles and high-ranking warriors.

The present lot stands as the perfect synthesis of the majestic spirit of steppe culture and the exquisite craftsmanship of Han regions. Each dragon-head ornament served not only as a functional component of horse tack but also as a tangible expression of the Khitan people's spiritual belief in the 'dragon roaring over the northern frontier'. Its artistic qualities, blending bold, unrestrained vigor with exquisite craftsmanship, testify to the unique cultural fusion of the Liao dynasty.

遼代是由契丹族建立的北方王朝，其金銀器製作工藝巧妙融合了草原遊牧文化、中原漢地風格及佛教藝術元素，形成了獨具特色的藝術風格。銀質鎏金龍吞作為遼代貴族馬具或服飾上的重要裝飾構件，以龍首造型為核心特徵，兼具實用功能與象徵意義。該器物採用銀片經手工錘揲成型龍首輪廓，繼而以細密鏨刻技法刻畫鱗片、鬃毛等精細紋飾，其形態呈現張口露齒、雙目圓睜、鬣毛飛揚的生動造型，展現出強烈的動態表現力，深刻體現了契丹民族對力量的崇尚。器物內部中空，可套裝於馬鞍鞽、腰帶或箭箙（箭袋）端部，兼具固定與裝飾功能。契丹民族在吸收中原龍文化精髓的同時，發展出更具威猛氣勢的藝術風格，特別強調騰躍動態的表現，與漢地傳統中象徵祥瑞的龍形象形成鮮明對比。該器物作為軍事權威的象徵，多見於契丹貴族及高級武士的裝備裝飾。

遼代銀質鎏金龍吞堪稱草原文化雄渾氣魄與漢地精湛工藝的完美結晶。每一尊龍首裝飾，既是馬具上的實用構件，更是契丹民族「龍嘯塞北」精神信仰的具象化表達。其粗獷豪放與精工華美並重的藝術特質，生動見證了遼代文化多元交融的獨特風貌。