Lot 211. A very rare light-brown and green glazed 'drinking game' tableau, Late Western-early Eastern Han Dynasty, Lingbao region, Henan province; 21cm (8 1/4in) long x 21cm (8 1/4in) wide x 19cm (7 1/2in) high. Sold for HKD250,000 (Est: HKD300,000 - HKD500,000). © Bonhams 2001-2021

Exquisitely moulded with five kneeling figures on a square tableau raising from four scalloped feet, gesticulating in animated discussion and surrounding a game board incised with grids in the centre, the figure glazed in light brown and the sides of the platform covered with lean green glaze. 

Illustrated and Published: R.D. Jacobsen, Celestial Horses & Long Sleeved Dancers, Minneapolis, 2013, p.99.

Exhibited: Minneapolis Institute of Arts, 2007-2021 (loan number: L2007.158.2).

The result of Oxford Authentication Ltd. thermoluminescence test no.C107y68 on 27 July 2007, is consistent with the dating of this lot.

Note: Drinking games were probably descended from ancient ceremonial rituals and become popular by the Warring States period, participated in by the aristocracy and scholar-officials only. Unlike in the Warring States period when scholars or hanger-on visitors were gathered by noblemen in pursuit of political achievement, scholar's gatherings in the Han Dynasty usually were formed for literary purposes. In such events, drinking can include a game that requires participants to recite classical poetry, to complete couplets or to win board games such as liubo or weiqi.

Unlike the figures depicted in Lot 85, those seen in the present lot can be recognised as being of higher social class by their clothing. Compare with the figures on an ink rubbing of a tombstone dated to the Eastern Han Dynasty, figures wear similar clothes and hats to that on this lot, see Zhongguo huaxiangshi quanji (Complete Collection of Chinese Stone-Reliefs), Jinan, 2000, vol.2 p.45. Similar scenes can be found on other tombstones dated to the Han Dynasty, compare with an ink rubbing of a tombstone in Sichuan, Eastern Han Dynasty, which is illustrated in ibid, vol.7, p.209.

Bonhams. Elegant Gatherings The Social Art of Chinese Scholars, Hong Kong, 2 Dec 2021