Watch List notes:

China: Liao-Jin Dynasty (916-1234 CE), openwork charm with square central hole, a human figure sitting above the central hole flanked by two further human figures on both sides and a horse underneath, 58.3x3.8mm, 45.5g. An important example from the openwork genre, depicting a human figure sitting above the central hole flanked by two other human figures on both sides and a horse underneath, the outer rim decorated with elaborate foliage patterns, all in excellent condition with pleasant red and green patination commensurate with Liao dynasty or even earlier, a heavy and thick piece, extremely rare and important. Note: The human figure sitting above the central hole is interpreted to be Prince Siddhartha, who later became Gautama Buddha. The horse underneath the central hole, according to the same interpretation, is named Kanthaka, a favourite white horse of eighteen cubits in length, who served as a royal servant of Prince Siddhartha. Only several specimens have been seen so far but they are all second to the current piece in terms of quality and condition. One other specimen, with hanging loop, was auctioned at the Autumn Sale of Xiling Yinshe in 2020, Lot 4685. This current piece is the same specimen that is used in Dr Burger's article on Chinese charms entitled Coins Which are Not Money: Cultural Functions and Symbolism collected in the book Money in Asia (1200-1900): Small Currencies in Social and Political Contexts edited by Jane Kate Leonard and Ulrich Theobald, Brill 2022..

Estimate: 40000 - 70000