Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: CSS92C - THE PRESTIGIOUS ACADEMIC REFERENCE COLLECTION OF THE LATE DR. WERNER BURGER - Part 3: Chinese Charms
Lot: 2146

China: Song-Yuan Dynasty (960-1368 CE), openwork charm, vase, ruyi and flowers, 65.6*2.8mm, 30.0g, Zhong Qian Genuine. Extremely rare, unique so far. Note: The central motif is that of a vase with flowers. Traditionally, the vase is a representation, through a verbal pun, of 'Ping an', peace and security. Behind the vase, a sceptre can be seen, which, like the vase, also creates a verbal pun through its Chinese pronunciation, 'Ruyi', meaning 'fulfilled wish'. Thus, taken as a whole, this openwork charm visually expresses the auspicious meaning of 'Ping an ru yi', even without any written words. Additionally, this is a very nice openwork piece of a highly unusual form instead of the more usual coin shape. It is designed as a pendent, like an exquisitely carved jade, that is meant to be carried about the body for easy fondling and appreciation, and thus of exceptional artistic quality. This piece here therefore marks a transcendence away and above from the practical functions found on the openwork charms dated to the Liao and the Jin dynasties. Indeed, the casting quality of the present piece is such that the decorative patterns on the central vase can be clearly seen. In this sense, the charm here is also a nice handy reminder of Ming bronze, such as the Xuan De incense burner, particularly noted for its superb designs, skilful workmanship, and, not the least, smooth touch of the copper alloy.


平安如意鏤空掛牌花錢，宋元（公元960–1368）時期，65.6*2.8mm，重30.0g，中乾真品。極罕，迄今僅見。另：該鏤空錢之主要題材為花瓶。在中國文化體系中，花瓶乃傳統、家喻戶曉的諧音口彩，表述對“瓶案/平安”的祈願。花瓶後另有如意一柄，二者結合，通過視覺和聲音（而非文字），直接而具體地表述“平安如意”這一傳統的吉祥思想。此外，該鏤空錢的形狀設計極為獨特，與通常所見的錢形迥異。它是作為手把件來設計的，就像一塊雕琢精細的玉珮，用以隨身佩戴，以便隨時把玩和欣賞。也正是因為此，這枚鏤空錢超脫了遼金時期的實用功能，更側重於藝術水準與表徵。的確，該件的鑄製水準極高，連花瓶上的紋飾也清晰可見。從這個角度來看，這枚鏤空花錢也可作明代青銅器來看待，如案頭所設之宣爐。一手之間，可以感觸到明代銅器的典雅設計、高超技藝和溫潤銅質。

Estimate

Starting price
HK$7000