What Do You Know About Ming Dynasty Gold Tripod Vessel

Explanation
In 2008, a gold tripod vessel dating from the Xuande period of the Ming dynasty became the world's most valuable antique. This indicates that the vessel was sold or auctioned off in that year for a record-breaking price, surpassing any other antique in terms of value.

Explanation
The rare gold tripod vessel is made from 18 karat gold. Karat is a unit used to measure the purity of gold, with 24 karat being the purest form. 18 karat gold means that the gold is 75% pure, with the remaining 25% being made of other metals for added strength and durability. This level of purity is commonly used in jewelry and other decorative items, making it a suitable choice for a valuable and rare artifact like the gold tripod vessel.

Explanation
The correct answer is Dragon. The question describes a thinly hammered gold body that is chased with a pair of five-clawed. This is a characteristic often associated with Chinese art and specifically with dragon motifs. In Chinese culture, dragons are highly revered and symbolize power, strength, and good fortune. Therefore, it is likely that the correct answer is Dragon.

Explanation
The sides of the tripod are fitted with a pair of thin wire swing. This suggests that the swing is attached to something that has sides, which eliminates the options of "Body" and "Mouth." The swing is also described as being thin, which suggests that it is not part of the tripod itself but rather something separate that is attached to it. The only option that fits this description is "Handle," as a handle can have sides and can potentially have a thin wire swing attached to it. Therefore, the correct answer is "Handle."

Explanation
The correct answer is Cabriole. Cabriole refers to a type of furniture leg that is curved outward at the top and inward at the bottom, resembling the shape of an animal's leg. It is commonly used in the construction of chairs, tables, and other pieces of furniture. The term "cabriole" is derived from the French word for "leap" or "jump," which describes the dynamic and elegant appearance of this leg style.

Explanation
The correct answer is "Leaves" because the given description mentions that the item is decorated with cabochon gems set in gold casing and has a mouth decorated with a band of scrolling. Neither porcelain nor dragon are mentioned in the description, so they cannot be the correct answer. Therefore, the only option left is "Leaves."

Explanation
The correct answer is "All of the above" because the statement mentions that the vessel mouth is studded with gems including natural pearls, turquoise and sapphires, as well as cat's eye chrysoberyl. Therefore, all three options are correct and included in the answer.

Explanation
The correct answer is Dragon. The question is asking about the additional decorative elements on the domed cover. Chasing refers to the process of creating intricate designs on metal surfaces. Out of the given options, a pair of dragons would be a common choice for decoration due to their cultural significance and aesthetic appeal.

Explanation
The description mentions a medallion accented with gems and a bud finial punctuated with a blue. Among the given options, sapphire is the only gemstone that is commonly associated with a blue color. Therefore, sapphire is the correct answer.

Explanation
There are believed to be only a finite number of gold vessels from the period totaling up to 8.