A pair of fine and old Chinese silver gilt Tang style cups, octagonal flared form with fine and engraved all-over exterior detail of sinuous vines and birds, the captured ring handles with shaped top plate conforming to the bodies, the bases with further decoration. height 5.7 cm. Note: it is recorded that this shape and pattern of design is done after Sassanian silver types with a Persian influence. These were made in China during the Tang Dynasty (618-907 A.D.). Provenance: Purchased in China early 1970s by a European New Zealander visiting as a New Zealand sporting representative.