唐代筆記 vol.26 大都會博物館：唐代六棱銀盒 - Met Museum, Tang Dynasty Silver Six-Lobed Box
- SACA
- Feb 10
- 3 min read
六棱銀盒造型較為罕見，蓋上刻有唐草鴛鴦紋樣，蓋下刻唐草，側面刻花卉珍禽野獸。這件器物尺寸十分袖珍，僅有7.9cm，可見紋樣雕刻之細膩，總體造型小器大作有大唐帝國磅礴之氣勢。
唐代六棱銀盒
時期／文化： 中國，8世紀（唐代）
材質： 銀
尺寸： 高 3.2 cm（1 1/4 in.）；直徑 7.9 cm（3 1/8 in.）
分類： 金屬工藝
來源： 1985年由Ernest Erickson Foundation捐贈
藏品號： 1985.214.16a, b
展覽： 2005年於紐約大都會博物館「中國古代藝術」展出
大唐帝國（618–907年）是中國歷史上一個文化繁榮、藝術創新的黃金時期。這一時期的社會穩定和對外交流促進了中外藝術風格的交融，使得金銀器製作技藝達到空前水平。唐代金銀器不僅體現了極高的工藝技術，還融入了當時流行的裝飾元素，如唐草紋、鴛鴦圖案、花卉和珍禽野獸的形象，這些圖樣既有象徵吉祥的寓意，也反映了當時多元文化影響下的審美取向。
以唐代六棱銀盒為例，儘管器物尺寸袖珍（直徑僅7.9厘米，高3.2厘米），但其上刻畫的紋樣卻極為精細。盒蓋上刻有融合唐草與鴛鴦紋樣的設計，下蓋亦刻有類似的唐草圖案，而側面則細緻雕刻著花卉、珍禽及野獸的形象。這種精美的雕刻工藝不僅展示了工匠的卓越技藝，更彰顯了大唐時期“小器大作”的藝術風範，寓意著即便是微小的器物也能映射出整個帝國的磅礴氣勢。
此外，唐代金銀器的發展與當時絲綢之路上的頻繁交流密不可分。來自中亞、波斯等地的異域藝術元素與中國本土傳統在唐代相互交融，使得金銀器造型與裝飾風格更為多元和豐富。這種中西合璧的藝術趨勢，既體現了大唐對外開放的胸襟，也促使了藝術風格在形式和內涵上的不斷革新與發展。
Six-lobed box
China 8th century
Tang Dynasty Six-Lobed Silver Box
This six-lobed silver box is an unusually rare form. The lid is engraved with Tang-style “Tang grass” patterns incorporating mandarin duck motifs, while the underside of the lid features similar Tang calligraphic motifs. The sides are decorated with floral designs and depictions of rare birds and beasts. Despite its diminutive dimensions—measuring only 7.9 cm in diameter—the delicate detail of the decorative carvings is clearly visible, and the overall design, though small in size, powerfully evokes the grandeur and majesty of the Tang Empire.
Culture: China
Medium: Silver
Dimensions: H. 1 1/4 in. (3.2 cm); Diam. 3 1/8 in. (7.9 cm)
Classification: Metalwork
Credit Line: Gift of Ernest Erickson Foundation, 1985
Object Number: 1985.214.16a, b
Provenance: The Ernest Erickson Foundation, Inc. , New York (until 1985; donated to MMA)
Exhibition: New York. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. "Arts of Ancient China," 2005.
The Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE) represents a golden age in Chinese history, marked by unparalleled cultural prosperity and artistic innovation. This period of stability and extensive international exchange fostered a unique synthesis between indigenous Chinese aesthetics and foreign artistic influences, especially evident in the realm of metalwork. Tang-era gold and silver objects not only demonstrate superb technical craftsmanship but also incorporate popular decorative motifs such as Tang grass patterns, mandarin duck designs, floral elements, and depictions of rare birds and beasts. These motifs carry auspicious symbolism and reflect a multifaceted aesthetic influenced by diverse cultural interactions.
Taking the Tang Dynasty Six-Lobed Silver Box as an exemplary case, one is immediately struck by the exquisite detail achieved on a diminutive object (measuring only 7.9 cm in diameter and 3.2 cm in height). The lid is intricately engraved with designs that blend Tang grass patterns with mandarin duck motifs, while the underside of the lid continues the Tang calligraphic tradition. The sides are adorned with delicate carvings of floral patterns, rare birds, and beasts. Such refined craftsmanship not only showcases the exceptional skills of Tang artisans but also encapsulates the grand artistic vision of the era—a testament to the principle that even small objects could embody the majestic spirit of the Tang Empire.
Moreover, the evolution of Tang metalwork is closely linked to the vibrant exchanges along the Silk Road. The infusion of artistic elements from Central Asia, Persia, and other regions enriched traditional Chinese motifs, leading to a dynamic and diverse decorative vocabulary. This harmonious blend of Eastern and Western influences not only highlights the open and cosmopolitan nature of the Tang court but also propelled continuous innovation in both form and symbolism in Tang art.
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