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A large Chinese wooden head of a Luohan, Jin/Yuan Dynasty…
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Sydney
Date:
11-Dec-2016
Lot No.
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Description:
A large Chinese wooden head of a Luohan, Jin/Yuan Dynasty 13-14th century, the expressive features very well defined, with original textile base attached to the surface, gesso and lacquer absent, consecration material found inside the head cavity, in the form of a rare woodblock printed 'Bank note', stamped with three official red seals, appears to be dated from the third year of the first Ming emperior Hong Wu,1368-1398 (dated 1370) reads 'Da Ming Tong Xing Bao Chao' ('precious bank note made in Ming dynasty'), 'Yi Guan' (about 660.8 Rmb), the bottom part inscribed 'Hu Bu Zou Zhun Ji Zao, Da Ming Bao Chao Yu Tong Qian Tong Xing, Shi Yong Wei Zao Zhe Zhan, Gao Bu Zhe Shang Yin Liang Bai Wu Shi Liang, Reng Gei fan Ren Cai Chan, Hong Wu, San Nian x Yue x Ri' (Authorized by the Department of Finance, this bank note has the same function as coins, those who use counterfeit bank note will beheaded, the whistle-blower will be rewarded 250 Liang silvers plus all the properties of the criminal. The third year of Hong Wu period.), 38 cm high. Reference: similar example please see A & J Speelman, Oriental Art, London, pp.10-11, also see Chinese, Korean and Japanese sculptures, the Avery Brundage Collection San Francisco, Tokyo, 1974, pl. 142, and Michael Sullivan, the Cave Temples of Maichishan, London, 1969, pl. 80. Provenance: A. & J. Speelman Ltd., 1/3/1990, invoice: 1533
Estimate:
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Price:
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Category:
Oriental: Zother