Lot 4375

Description

China, Tientsin Provisional Government, 1900-1902, in silver (52mm; 70.8g) by J. Chevt for the renowned Japanese jeweller Tenshodo, obverse with the flags of seven of the eight allied nations involved namely Germany, United States, France, United Kingdom, Italy, Japan and Russia (note Austro-Hungary missing), all enamelled and bound with a ribbon bearing the motto 'pax labor', reverse Chinese characters within wreath of oak and laurel, designer's initials 'J.C.' below, edge with 'tenshodo' in cartouche. Uneven toning on reverse due to removal of double sided tape, otherwise toned extremely fine and very rare.

The Provisional Government was established by the allies after capturing Tientsin from China in 1900 during the Boxer Rebellion. It was governed by the eight nation allied alliance until 1902 when it was returned to Qing control.