A PAIR OF COPPER-INLAID PEWTER ‘QIN’ WEIGHTS, LATE QING DYNASTY TO REPUBLIC PERIOD

拍品描述

A PAIR OF COPPER-INLAID PEWTER ‘QIN’ WEIGHTS, LATE QING DYNASTY TO REPUBLIC PERIOD China, circa 1850-1949. Each neatly cast in the form of a qin, long and slender with rounded notches and ends, the upper surface pierced with seven apertures for the wire strings and inlaid with copper for the hui (note markers). One example is larger, with a slightly broader body and more pronounced terminal flare. (2) Dimensions: Height 14 cm and 16.5 cm The guqin is a plucked seven-string Chinese musical instrument. It has been played since ancient times and has traditionally been favored by scholars and literati as an instrument of great subtlety and refinement, as highlighted by the quote “a gentleman does not part with his qin without good reason,” as well as being associated with the ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius. It is sometimes referred to by the Chinese as ‘the father of Chinese music’ or ‘the instrument of the sages’. Traditionally, the instrument was simply referred to as the ‘qin’ but by the twentieth century, the term had come to be applied to many other musical instruments as well. The prefix ‘gu’ (meaning ‘ancient’) was later added for clarification. Thus, the instrument is called ‘guqin’ today. Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Bonhams Hong Kong, 2 December 2021, lot 64 Estimate: HKD 40,000 or approx. EUR 4,700 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the closely related form. Note the different material and the size (10.2 cm). Such boxes were likely used to hold weights like the present lot. Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Sotheby’s London, 9 November 2011, lot 49 Price: GBP 4,000 or approx. EUR 8,000 (for one) converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the closely related form and copper-inlaid hui. Note the different material.

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