Chine, Monnaies /Chinese coins

Xiwang Shanggong, Zhang Xianzhong (1606-1657). Gold. Diameter 5 cm. © Shanghai Museum.

Kaiyuan Tongbao, Tang dynasty (AD 618-907). Copper. Diameter 23.89 mm. © Shanghai Museum The Zhu Liang monetary system which had been used as the name and unit of the currency was abolished in the 4th year of Wude Period of the Tang dynasty (AD 621). The monetary system of Bao Wen began in practice, with Tong Bao, Zhong Bao used as names for the currency and Wen as the unit. With the development of a commodity economy in the Tang dynasty, the demand for copper coins surged. But since the mid-Tang dynasty, copper coins... [Lire la suite]

Lot 809. A group of five bronze coins, Xin dynasty (9-24) and Tang dynasty (618-907); Knife coin: 3 in. (7.6 cm.) long, cloth box; Each circular coin: 1 in. (2.5 cm.) diam. Estimate USD 1,500 – USD 2,000. Price realised USD 10,710. © Christie's 2023 The knife coin, Xin dynasty (AD 9-24), is inscribed on one side with an inscription that reads yi dao ping wu qian (one knife is worth five thousand), with the first two characters inlaid in gold on the circular ring and the... [Lire la suite]

Lot 367. A teadust-glazed bottle vase, Mark and period of Guangxu (1875-1908). Height 13¼ in., 33.5 cm. Sold for $15,120 (Estimate $10,000 - $15,000). © Sotheby's 2022 the base with a six-character mark. Provenance: Sotheby's Paris, 9th June 2010, lot 254. Important Chinese Art, New York, 21 september 2022

Wuzhu coins, Han dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE). Bronze. Diam. (average) 2.6 cm. Collection of Shandong Provincial Museum.  In tombs of the Han dynasty, we often find either real or imitation coinage.[1] Clearly the purpose of these coins was cosmological as well as monetary.[2] Round coins with a square center hole are viewed as cosmic maps, imaging the relationship between the round heaven and the square earth, whereby the deceased could ascend to paradise. For this reason, bronze trees laden... [Lire la suite]

Mold for wuzhu coins, Han dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE). Bronze; H. 22.7 cm, W. 7.7cm, D. 0.9 cm. Excavated from Cangshan. Collection of Shandong Provincial Museum. © China Institute Gallery In tombs of the Han dynasty, we often find either real or imitation coinage.[1] Clearly the purpose of these coins was cosmological as well as monetary.[2] Round coins with a square center hole are viewed as cosmic maps, imaging the relationship between the round heaven and the square earth, whereby the deceased could ascend to... [Lire la suite]

Banliang coins, Han dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE). Bronze. Diam. (average) 2.3 cm. Collection of Shandong Provincial Museum. © China Institute Gallery A variety of different coinage was in use in ancient China until the First Emperor of China unified the currency during the Qin dynasty with the banliang (“half ounce” or four zhu) coin, which was round with a central square hole. This standardization of coinage was part of a broader plan to consolidate political and administrative power that... [Lire la suite]

  Mold for banliang coins (four zhu), Han dynasty (206 BCE–220 CE). Stone; H. 7.3 cm, W. 10.8 cm, D. 2.4 cm. Excavated at Linqu. Collection of Shandong Provincial Museum. © China Institute Gallery A variety of different coinage was in use in ancient China until the First Emperor of China unified the currency during the Qin dynasty with the banliang (“half ounce” or four zhu) coin, which was round with a central square hole. This standardization of coinage was part of a... [Lire la suite]

Lot 340. A fine Ge-style glazed porcelain vase, Yongzheng-Qianlong period (1723-1796). H. 40 cm. Sold: €17,000 (Est: €5,000 - €8,000). © 2021 Nagel Auctions Provenance: Collection of Adalbert Colsman (1886-1978) and Thilda Colsman, purchased from China-Bohlken, June 16th, 1939, by descent within the family to the present owner. Nagel Auctions. Asian Art, December 7, 2021

Lot 1091. Two parcel-gilt silver alloy vessels, a silver alloy oval basin and a parcel-gilt bronze pouring vessel, Tang dynasty (618-907); 10.7 to 26.8 cm. Estimate: 20,000 - 30,000 HKD. Lot Sold: 138,600 HKD. (C) 2021 Sotheby's Sotheby's. Chinese Art Online, including Song Ceramics from the Kai-Yin Lo Collection, Hong Kong, 26 August 2021