Lot 262

Description

Boxer Rebellion-Associated Historical Curiosities, Collection of Chinese historical curiosities and associated objects, assembled with explanatory collector's labels relating to the Boxer Rebellion of 1900. Comprising a grey-brown ovoid stoneware ginger or storage jar with raised shoulder and open mouth; three pale gaming tally sticks with black and red dotted markings; two small pale aqua and clear glass bottles, traditionally identified as opium bottles; a rectangular clear-glass Chinese medicine bottle with embossed Chinese characters; a carved rectangular Chinese hand seal with animal-form finial and red-pigmented seal face; a pale horn-like travelling shoehorn; nine traditional Chinese cash coins with square central holes and various inscriptions; a large forged iron leaf-shaped spear or pike head with split tubular socket; and a circular copper-alloy Capstan Tobacco/Cigarettes match safe or vesta container with removable lid.
The collection includes original printed explanatory labels associating the objects with Chinese daily life, gambling, medicine, military equipment and souvenirs of the Boxer Rebellion. The spearhead is attributed to Chinese irregular forces, while the shoehorn is described as originating from an officer's travelling kit.
An interesting historical assemblage relating to late Qing China and the period of the Boxer Uprising. Condition varying across the collection. Stoneware jar with surface deposits, discolouration, abrasions and rim wear, lacking lid. Iron spearhead heavily oxidised, with extensive surface rust, pitting and corrosion; original wooden shaft absent. Cash coins with varying degrees of wear, patination, corrosion and surface deposits, several with partially obscured inscriptions. Glass bottles with surface scratches, cloudiness and handling wear; stoppers absent. Gaming tallies and carved seal with minor discolouration, rubbing and surface wear. Shoehorn with light scratching and age-related discolouration. Capstan match container with tarnishing, oxidation and general surface wear. Collector's explanatory labels generally preserved and legible. Fine overall (20 individual items.)

From Alan McCrae Collection.