Lot 4451

Description

China, Chou dynasty, Spring and Autumn period, c.600-400 B.C., needle tip knives, with character wang (13.45 g), 143mm long, (cf.Hartill 4.8 - 4.12) (illustrated), others with blue-green oxidation (9.65 and 11.20 g), 150mm long, types without visible symbols, (Hartill 4.12). First very fine, others fair - fine. (3)

Ex Patrick J. O'Rourke Collection.

Needle type knife money was unknown until 1932 when a hoard was unearthed at Chengde in Hebei Province. Some other later hoards have also been found in this area. Probably produced for trade between the Chinese and the Xiongnu (Huns) who occup[ied the northern area at that time. Many different types noted Hartill describes 5 types.