Lot 587
Pair of Tortoise-Shell Bamboo Veneered Scroll Weights, Qing Dynasty, Guangxu Mark and Period (1875-1908)
Lot 587 Details
Pair of Tortoise-Shell Bamboo Veneered Scroll Weights, Qing Dynasty, Guangxu Mark and Period (1875-1908)
Of oblong form with rounded tops, each with incised and gilt stylized bird script characters and marked Hong Shu Tang Cang (Library of Herons) and Zuo Zongtang zhenyong (for the reserved use of Zuo Zongtang
height 6.1" — 15.4 cm.
four-character Guangxu mark
Estimate $800-$1,200
Additional Images
Note:
Zuo Zongtang (1812-1885) is one of the more accomplished figures of the late Qing period. A successful general and statesman, viceroy of numerous provinces in his career and eventually raised to the rank of Marquis and Grand Councillor in 1880. Ironically, he is best known now for the dish General Zuo’s (Tso’s) Chicken.
The quality of the construction, finish and calligraphy would appear to be in keeping with an imperial gift to a retiring grand official, though there exists no documentary evidence linking these scroll weights and the famous general beyond the inscriptions given.