LOT Auction Asia  /  No-Reserve AUCTION-ASIA Benefit Sale  / 

131

Bronze "MONEY TREE"

Currency:USD Category:Antiques / Asian Antiques Start Price:900.00 USD Estimated At:1,300.00 - 1,800.00 USD
Bronze MONEY TREE
Online Auction only, with advance bids accepted at iCollector and at the Gallery. No live bidding
in the Gallery, and tie bids go to the earliest bidder. All proceeds will go 100% to the World Peace Foundation Building Fund of Hadley, MA.
From Sichuan Province, these ancient amuletic bronzes are impressive and surely of high importance during the period of their use. The design seen here is typical and shows a pair of facing Deer at the top and rows of coin-like holed discs down both sides. These all enclose a dancing Shaman whose arm is raised and feeding the mouths of the deer above. Those deer may represent his spirit-helpers who will guide him in his trance journeys into the spirit world.....as the shaman will guide the spirit of the deceased into the next life. There is no agreement whether these "Money Trees" were used in life or made specifically to aid in the afterlife...and thus a unique form of mingqi. Most have been found in Sichuan and this one is rare for being intact and of mid-size. 8-5/8" tall by 4" wide. Purchased there sometime before my marriage in 1997.
Sign In to Bookmark Lot Sign In for Lot Closing Notifications