Auction 20
FINE ASIAN ART - PRINCE COLLECTION
By Apollo Art Auctions
Contact Auction House
Jun 7, 2025
63-64 Margaret St. London, W1W 8SW
Terms of Sale
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Apollo Art Auctions is proud to announce our ?Fine Asian Art' sale. Commencing on the 7th of June at 10 a.m. GMT. The auction showcases a spectacular array of Asian art. The sale will be held live at our Central London showroom, 63 ? 64 Margaret Street, W1W 8SW. All lots will be available for preview at our central London showroom by appointment only. Our white-gloved team professionally handles all items, preparing them for in-house shipping. Contact us via email enquiries@apolloauctions.com or by calling (+44) 7424 994167.
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LOT 15:
CHINESE WESTERN HAN GOLD HOOF-SHAPED INGOT
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Sold for: £50,000
Price including buyer’s premium:
£
64,500
Start price:
£
8,000
Estimate :
£12,000 - £20,000
Buyer's Premium: 29%
More details
VAT: 20%
On Buyer's Premium Only
Users from foreign countries may be exempted from tax payments, according to the relevant tax regulations
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CHINESE WESTERN HAN GOLD HOOF-SHAPED INGOT
Ca. 100 - 1 BC. A hoof-shaped gold ingot. The surface bears tooling and casting marks. Around the lower body is an elaborately worked gold filigree band incorporating floral and scroll motifs. This piece is of high historical significance. It was a form of currency during the Western Han dynasty and was usually gifted to royal family members by the emperor. A very well-known example where hundreds of gold ingots as such were excavated was from the tomb of Liu He (92-59 BC), who was enthroned as emperor in 74 BC, shortly deposed after only twenty-seven days. He became known as the Marquis of Haihun. This particular form of gold ingots was named linzhi (qilin-hoof) and mati (horse-hoof) to match auspicious omens: a white qilin unicorn and a “heavenly” horse, by a later emperor in 95 BC. For similar see: Excavation reports on the tomb of the marquis of Haihun. Size: 40mm x 60mm; Weight: 272.56g. Provenance: Prince collection, 1990s-2014; Ex Ben Janssens Oriental art, 11 June 2007. This item has been cleared against the Art Loss Register database and comes with a confirmation letter. A copy of the original invoice will accompany the piece.
