Lot 811
- 811
A 'TIGER AND BUFFALO' GOLD PLAQUE 5TH - 3RD CENTURY BC |
Estimate
15,000 - 20,000 USD
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Description
- Length 5 in., 12.7 cm
the rectangular sheet worked in repoussé with a buffalo spreading across the length of the plaque attached by two tigers at each side, the buffalo's head and horns in high relief, the fur indicated in finely combed lines, the tigers with thick wavy coats and long claws, all bordered by rope-twist band, pierced at the four corners and at the buffalo's snout, stand (2)
Provenance
Collection of Harry Geoffrey Beasley (1881-1939).
Collection of Alfred William Cowperthwaite (1890-1964), acquired circa 1939, and thence by descent.
Collection of Alfred William Cowperthwaite (1890-1964), acquired circa 1939, and thence by descent.
Condition
The plaque is in overall good condition with only minor dents and some oxidation (particularly to the reverse), commensurate with age and material.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.
Catalogue Note
Four plaques of the same size and design, dating to the late Warring States period, were excavated in 1973 at Aluchaideng site, southeast of Hangjin Banner City, Yikezhao League, Ordos, Inner Mongolia. They are now in the collection of the Inner Mongolia Museum, Huhehaote, and one is illustrated in Empires beyond the Great Wall - The Heritage of Genghis Khan, Natural History Museum of Los Angeles, 1993, fig. 26; and also in Zhang Jingming Zhongguo beifang caoyuan gudai jinyinqi [Ancient Gold and Silver Works from China's Northern Steppe], Beijing, 2005, pl. 21. Another plaque of this type, excavated from the same site in 1972, is published in the archaeological report by the Inner Mongolia Archaeology Team and the Inner Mongolia Museum, 'Neimenggu wenwu kaogu gongzuo sanshi nian' [30 Years of Archaeological Work in Inner Mongolia], Wenwu kaogu gongzuo sanshi nian 1949-1979 [30 Years of Archaeological Work, 1949-1979], Beijing, 1979, p. 74, fig. 2.