A Chinese carved wood table screen, with ancient coin motifs...

Hammer

£2,700

A Chinese carved wood table screen, with ancient coin motifs as charms. 'A side-light on the later function of certain ancient coins and on the possible existence of a hitherto undiscovered one', a quote by the late Dr F A Turk who was Extra-mural Professor of Oriental Studies for the University of Exeter. Frame size 39 x 36.5cm. With associated research / paperwork written by Frank Turk in October 1975, reprinted from Spink's Numismatic Circular, October 1975. He also added, 'The real interest in this piece lies in the coin motifs which decorate it. These consist of a large amuletic coin above flanked on either side by ancient knife coins with an early spade coin (pu) below. The carving of all these coins has been done with a great attention to detail even to the representation of a certain amount of wear being suggested in the inscriptions. For further details please see the attached information images from the edition of The Numismatic Circular, dated October 1975 and please note that in conclusion he wrote, 'This coin charm is the only one of the four carved on the screen which, so far as is known, has no prototype in an actual coin. Since all the others are, as we have seen, based on known pieces, it may well be that such a charm coin has existed and a specimen of it still remains to be recorded. On this account the screen has an added value as a documention of a hitherto unknown piece. I shall be most interested to learn if anyone has ever seen such a charm'. Bought by Dr F. A.Turk in the late 1960's / early 1970's from an antique dealer in Portobello Road. He died in 1996 and his widow Stella M. Turk (MBE) who died in 2017, gave this as a present to the current West Cornwall vendor in 2015. Please see images of the printed report, for your information. 39 x 36.5 cm overall. No condition issues.