Lot 109. An inscribed silver-inlaid bronze ruler, Song-Qing dynasty. Length 9⅛ in., 23.1 cm. Lot sold: 18,900 USD (Estimate: 10,000 - 15,000 USD). © Sothebys.

the reverse inscribed with a nineteen-character inscription reading Zhouchi hanzhiliu xintongchi houhanjianwutongchi jinqianchi bingtong (Zhou dynasty bronze ruler, Han dynasty Liu Xin bronze ruler, Jin dynasty Jianwu reign bronze ruler, all the same).

Note: This lot closely resembles a bronze ruler, known as the Jin Qian Chi (Pre-Jin dynasty ruler), published by the Song dynasty scholar, Wang Houzhi (1131-1204) in Zhongding kuanzhi [Inscriptions on archaic bronzes], Jiguzhai edition, Jiaqing 7th year (1802), p. 20 (fig. 1). The ruler has since been discussed and illustrated by other scholars, including Ruan Yuan (1764-1849) in Jiguzhai zhongding yiqi kuanzhi [Inscriptions on the archaic bronzes from the Studio of Collecting Antiquities], vol. 10, p. 19; and Feng Yunpeng and Feng Yunyuan in Jinshisuo [Catalogue of bronze inscriptions], Daoguang 7th year (1827), p. 143.

fig. 1. The Jin Qian Chi (Pre-Jin dynasty ruler), published by the Song dynasty scholar, Wang Houzhi (1131-1204) in Zhongding kuanzhi [Inscriptions on archaic bronzes], Jiguzhai edition, Jiaqing 7th year (1802), p. 20.

Traditionally, the Jin Qian Chi was believed to be made by Xun Xu (d. 289) of the Western Jin dynasty (265-316). However, Wang Guowei (1877-1927) has concluded, after studying its inscription, that this ruler is in fact a Song dynasty copy, made by Gao Ruona (997-1055), a high official at the Northern Song court (see Wang Guowei, Wang Guowei quanji [The complete collection of the works by Wang Guowei], Hangzhou, 2010, pp 391 and 392). According to Songshi lülizhi [Study of the history, music and calendar of the Song dynasty], Gao Ruona recreated the fifteen types of rulers, including the Jin Qian Chi, based on the historical texts recorded in the Suishi lülizhi [Study of the history, music and calendar of the Sui dynasty]. Wang Guowei's theory was also shared by Wu Chengluo (Zhongguo duliangheng shi [The history of Chinese measurement system], Shanghai, 1984, pp 215 and 216).

Sotheby's. A Journey Through China's History. The Dr Wou Kiuan Collection Part 1, New York, 22 March 2022