A LARGE BRONZE 'MONEY TREE' WITH GREEN-GLAZED RED POTTERY BASE
Eastern Han dynasty (A.D. 25-220)
Composed of six stalks stacked to form the tree trunk, each section hollowly cast with a bear at the center of a fringed disc below a cross-form receptacle for stacking and to receive four branches, the six tiers of branches decorated with repeating flat discs and many dragons, phoenixes, mythical creatures, banners, and coins, the top of the tree seated a monkey on a large disc playing with a flowering tree, the bronze delicately cast on both sides and now covered with green encrustations, supported by a red pottery base covered with iridescent green glaze, molded with two mythical beasts climbing on a mountain of stringed coins.
Approximately 60in (152.4cm) high
Footnotes:
東漢 青銅陶座搖錢樹

Provenance:
China Gallery, New York, 2006

Published:
Collection 2006, China Gallery, New York, 2006

來源：
紐約China Gallery，2006年

出版：
Collection 2006, China Gallery, 紐約, 2006年

As a mingqi, the 'Money Tree' represents a passageway for the deceased to enter the celestial realm with wealth and eternal life. Archaeological discoveries indicate that they were most popular in Southwestern China, especially in Sichuan province during the Eastern Han (A.D. 25-220) through the early Three Kingdoms (A.D. 221-263) periods. However, their origin and meaning remain a mystery.

Decorative motifs on the tree are often closely associated with local deities, such as the Queen Mother of the West, animal of the four directions, and creatures representing the power of nature, many of which were later absorbed into the Daoist pantheon. Occasionally, a seated Buddha replaces the bear image on the tree trunk, indicating the early stage of Buddhism's entry into China. The bronze branches are thinly cast in silhouettes of mystical creatures, decorated with an abundance of 'coin' motifs which is recognized by their circular outline and square aperture, the same form as the wuzhu currency which was issued in the Western Han dynasty and continued to be in wide circulation for several hundred years. The bronze tree, once assembled, comprises four bronze branches on each tier, supported by a pottery or stone base and finishes with a single bronze plaque on top. The fantastic creatures, immortals, lacey openwork all arranged with the up-rising motion - the luring mysterious ambience very much captures our imaginations today.

One of the well-preserved examples found in an Eastern Han tomb, excavated in 1972 in Pengshan, Sichuan province, is illustrated by Z.X. Sun, in the catalogue of special exhibition organized by the Metropolitan Museum of Art, Age of Empires: Art of the Qin and Han Dynasties, New York, 2017, pp. 217-218, no. 135.

Examples of 'Money Trees' can be found in museum collections around the world. Compare the 'Money Tree' from the Princeton University Art Museum, illustrated by C. Liu in the catalogue of special exhibition, Recarving China's Past: Archaeology and Architecture of the 'Wu Family Shrines', Princeton, 2005, pp. 456-462; in the Portland Art Museum, Oregon, illustrated by D. Jenkins in Mysterious Spirits, Strange Beasts, Earthly Delights: Early Chinese Art from the Arlene and Harold Schnitzer Collection, Portland, 2005, pp. 56-57; in the collection of the Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, illustrated by S. Little and S. Eichman in Taoism and the Arts of China, Chicago, 2000, pp. 154,155, no. 25; and from the collection of Ruth and Bruce Dayton, now in the collection of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts, accession number 2002.47a-rrr.

The result of the thermoluminescence tests is consistent with the dating of the base, Oxford certificate number C106d30, January 2006.

PLEASE NOTE: This report describes, but may not be limited to, major condition issues for the lot.



Overall in good, stable condition with minor losses to fringes and edges but does not compromise the viewing experience. All branches and stalks fit well together. The 'tree' is free-standing and does not require additional support. The branches are very thinly cast with raised thin lines, overall covered with an even layer of green patina.



The base is complete with no break or restoration; the iridescent glaze is attractive and typical of the period. Tiny drill holes to under the chin of animal on top and at the back of the base, as indicated on the Oxford certificate for thermoluminescence test has indicated.



Intricately cast and well-preserved. Rare example to see in the market.