World Silver & Bronze Coins (A - China)

Lot 1964    SESSION 7 (11.30AM WEDNESDAY 26 JULY)    World Silver & Bronze Coins (A - China)

Estimate $400
Bid at live.noble.com.au
SOLD $1,200

CHINA, Eastern Zhou Dynasty 770-221 B.C, a hard green stone, made as a large imitation of cowrie shell 36x65mm (large hole at back with small hole at front), with ridges cut across front, probably a tomb piece (illustrated); smaller examples (4) 33-46mm x 18-25mm; imitation mother of pearl cowrie shell with cut on obverse, (still with red earth in cut); imitation stone cowrie shell without vertical line (3) with vertical line (2) all with hole at top; two holed white stone shells with vertical line and 7 to 16 cuts as lines across (about 19); a similar group (11) of grey-brown stone cowries of varying sizes with vertical line and horizontal lines each with two holes; a lead cowrie (6.9 g) 28x18 g (illustrated in Coole Vol.2 Encyclopedia No.14) (illustrated); assorted cowries in mixed materials (18); copper shell tops of cowries (8); together with stone holed pieces (2) with Chinese script on one and cross with arms in angles like Spanish American cob; assorted (approx.50) cut and uncut cowrie shells of various sizes with several holed and some with rings in brass attached; a boxed set of 'ghost faces (8) in soft white stone (worn by the dead to ward off evil spirits), probably from the Zhou Dynasty. Mostly fine, and very interesting collection worthy of further research. (lot)

Ex Patrick J.O'Rourke Collection the green stone pieces from the Beijing Antique Money Shop August 1996 later lots of white stone acquired at above October 2002, October 2003; the lead cowrie from Downie's, Melbourne Auction 281 February 2003 (lot 1820) and Scott Seamans June 2, 1991 Auction (lot 196) The Daniel K.E. Ching Sale.

Many of the imitative stone cowries are encrusted in red soil, probably coming from tombs.