Stack's Bowers & Ponterio
August 2015 Hong Kong Auction - Sess. A-D 24-26 August 2015
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CHINA. Set of (3) Nanyang Exposition Award Medals, Year 2 (1910).
Li-pg. 126-127 (plate specimens). 3 pieces in lot. A trio of medals representing first, second and third class awards presented by the Bureau of Agriculture, Industry and Commerce for exhibits at the six month long Nanyang Exposition, June 5th to November 29th 1910, during which time more than 300,000 visitors attended. Over the closing years of the Qing Dynasty western powers were attempting to strengthen their grip on trade in China and encourage industrial development by sponsoring such industrial expositions throughout China. The Nanyang Exposition became the largest such fair and featured showcases from nearly every province in China with the joint host provinces of Kiangsu and Kiangsi having the largest displays. Categories of exhibited wares included, agriculture, education, health arts, weaponry, glassworks, textiles, porcelain and foreign products. A judging committee of experts from various fields awarded sixty-six first class, two hundred fourteen second class and four hundred twenty eight third class medals of these types to a wide range of items, nearly one million items in four hundred and forty categories. The medals all share the same design with entrance gate of the exposition represented among clouds on the center of the obverse surrounded by Imperial dragons on either side striving towards a flaming pearl at twelve o'clock in the outer border; Reverse: A legend in traditional script separated by rosettes on either side with a central inscription stating the date of the exposition's year. What is interesting to note is the only piece to actually be struck is the bronze third class medal, hence it is the only one to be graded by NGC, while the first and second class medals are created from two fused shells, in silver and gilt bronze respectively, which were most likely cast from one of the struck bronze medals or an earlier pattern. All three pieces show little to no evidence of handling and the first class medal has retained the vast majority of its gilding. A RARE and interesting trio which is the first of its type we have had the honor of handling and very deserving of close attention. ALMOST UNCIRCULATED (2) & NGC MS-61 BN (1).
Estimate: $8000.00- $10000.00
Li-pg. 126-127 (plate specimens). 3 pieces in lot. A trio of medals representing first, second and third class awards presented by the Bureau of Agriculture, Industry and Commerce for exhibits at the six month long Nanyang Exposition, June 5th to November 29th 1910, during which time more than 300,000 visitors attended. Over the closing years of the Qing Dynasty western powers were attempting to strengthen their grip on trade in China and encourage industrial development by sponsoring such industrial expositions throughout China. The Nanyang Exposition became the largest such fair and featured showcases from nearly every province in China with the joint host provinces of Kiangsu and Kiangsi having the largest displays. Categories of exhibited wares included, agriculture, education, health arts, weaponry, glassworks, textiles, porcelain and foreign products. A judging committee of experts from various fields awarded sixty-six first class, two hundred fourteen second class and four hundred twenty eight third class medals of these types to a wide range of items, nearly one million items in four hundred and forty categories. The medals all share the same design with entrance gate of the exposition represented among clouds on the center of the obverse surrounded by Imperial dragons on either side striving towards a flaming pearl at twelve o'clock in the outer border; Reverse: A legend in traditional script separated by rosettes on either side with a central inscription stating the date of the exposition's year. What is interesting to note is the only piece to actually be struck is the bronze third class medal, hence it is the only one to be graded by NGC, while the first and second class medals are created from two fused shells, in silver and gilt bronze respectively, which were most likely cast from one of the struck bronze medals or an earlier pattern. All three pieces show little to no evidence of handling and the first class medal has retained the vast majority of its gilding. A RARE and interesting trio which is the first of its type we have had the honor of handling and very deserving of close attention. ALMOST UNCIRCULATED (2) & NGC MS-61 BN (1).
Estimate: $8000.00- $10000.00