Lot 40
China, Han Dynasty / Warring States, 471 to 225 BCE. This is a bronze tally with five engraved characters. The tally takes the form of a one horned dragon (?) head with open mouth and tongue out at one end and a fierce feline / tiger (?) head growling at the other. The style appears to be that of the Fu that was produced during the Warring States period for official military purposes as a means of assuring secure communications. While normally made in pairs for official military communications regarding troop movements, the purpose of this single example may have been limited to less critical military matters such as authorizing provisioning troops with food, shelter, weapons, etc. Similar tallies have been excavated and translated to say that military post stations should provide food and lodging to the bearer. The writing on this tally is probably in Zhanguo Wenzi, a collective name given to the Chinese characters used in the different states during the Warring Period. Size: 7-3/4"H x 1"W (19.7 cm x 2.5 cm).
Provenance: Ex-private New Jersey collection.
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#109353
- Condition: Age-related wear with lovely patina. All decoration and characters are legible.
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