31st Aug, 2023 9:30
A rare and important Imperial Chinese Waring States (481-221 BCE) or Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE) gilt and inscribed bronze Hufu, Tiger Tally, cast in richly gilt bronze in two tessellating halves as an imperial crouching tiger each half bearing the same eleven-character inscription, each inscription reads “王命天下眾百夫之兵聖用”
“The Lord/King orders, all soldiers in the world would need to obey.”
The Hufu or "Tiger Tally" was used to avoid military espionage and false information and it confirmed the validity of orders purporting to be from the Emperor. The tally was used mostly in military communication to authorize troop movements and tactical deployments but could have also been used in civil matters when an edict was issued.
One-half of the tally would remain with the Emperor or a suitably high-ranking official, this half would then be dispatched with his representative or messenger who would be carrying orders to the relevant commanding officer or court official in the field, he would have the other corresponding half of the tally and if the two halves tessellated or indeed "Tallied" then the orders were deemed to be authentic and the actions or orders were executed,
This piece is accompanied by an elemental analysis and a conservators report proving the authenticity of its material and finish.
This piece was purchased by our client's father whilst working in the Himalayas in the 1950s/60s, thence by familial descent to our client.
Sold for £9,000
A rare and important Imperial Chinese Waring States (481-221 BCE) or Qin Dynasty (221-206 BCE) gilt and inscribed bronze Hufu, Tiger Tally, cast in richly gilt bronze in two tessellating halves as an imperial crouching tiger each half bearing the same eleven-character inscription, each inscription reads “王命天下眾百夫之兵聖用”
“The Lord/King orders, all soldiers in the world would need to obey.”
The Hufu or "Tiger Tally" was used to avoid military espionage and false information and it confirmed the validity of orders purporting to be from the Emperor. The tally was used mostly in military communication to authorize troop movements and tactical deployments but could have also been used in civil matters when an edict was issued.
One-half of the tally would remain with the Emperor or a suitably high-ranking official, this half would then be dispatched with his representative or messenger who would be carrying orders to the relevant commanding officer or court official in the field, he would have the other corresponding half of the tally and if the two halves tessellated or indeed "Tallied" then the orders were deemed to be authentic and the actions or orders were executed,
This piece is accompanied by an elemental analysis and a conservators report proving the authenticity of its material and finish.
ProvenanceThis piece was purchased by our client's father whilst working in the Himalayas in the 1950s/60s, thence by familial descent to our client.
