A SET OF EIGHT GILT COPPER REPOUSSÉ BELT PLAQUES,... Lot n° 93

A SET OF EIGHT GILT COPPER REPOUSSÉ BELT PLAQUES, YUAN STYLE, QING DYNASTY OR EARLIER China, 1644-1911 or earlier. Consisting of two larger rectangular plaques with a rounded end and six square plaques, each decorated within a raised rim on a ring punched ground. Depicting two or three circling dragons, each biting the tail of the dragon in front, surrounded by stylized lotus borne on leafy vines. Their verso with naturally grown cuprite and malachite encrustations. Provenance: French trade. Condition: Good condition with minor wear, rubbing to the gilt, small nicks, and minuscule dents. The plaques display a rich, naturally grown patina with malachite and cuprite encrustations. Weight: 186 g (total), 29 cm (rectangular plaques), and 21 g (square plaques) Dimensions: Length 8.2 cm (rectangular plaques) and 5.4 cm (square plaques) Literature comparison: Compare a related repoussé belt plaque decorated with fruiting vines, 11.6 cm long, dated to the Yuan dynasty in the British Museum, accession number 1938,0524.328. Compare a related set of seven belt plaques decorated with animal designs, dated to the Tang dynasty, in the Asian Art Museum, accession number B68B10.c.