SHELL MOTIFS ON TANG METALWORK

Unlike for flowers and birds, I was unable to find a wealth of information about the clamshell shape employed for some of the tiny boxes of the High Tang period. It seems possible that the form is self-referential, using a form from nature to draw a parallel between the uses. Just as a clam or oyster shell can open and close – possibly revealing a pearl hidden inside – this precious box could have been opened to show whatever precious cargo, if any, was hidden inside.

Shell Box with Mirrored Birds

Gilt silver, Xi'an Eastern Suburb Xibei Guomian Wuchang, dated to 718 CE

Shell Box with Birds

Gilt silver box, Xi'an Eastern Suburb Xibei Guomian Wuchang, dated to 718 CE

Shell Box with pair of Birds

Clam shell shaped box with incized image of two birds surrounded by foliage and flowers on either side. Found in a dated (M5036 object 20) dated to 778 CE. There is no individual date for this object.

Shell Container with Flowers and Birds

Tomb M2603, object 40, 738 CE