Three books with calligraphy on paper
China, Qing Dynasty (1644-1912), 18th or 19th century
Bound as booklets
Dimensions: 20 x 13.5 cm; 22.5 x 13,5 cm, 25.5 x 18.5 cm
Provenance: from Berlin private collection
Text books with selected works from two of China’s most important chronicles

These three books are presumably text and exercise books from the 18th or 19th century. The larger book contains selected works from the Shiji (‘Records of the Grand Historian’) and the Hanshu, or Book of Han. The Shiji was the first significant example of Chinese historiography. Its chronicles describe the time from the mythological beginnings of history to the early Han Dynasty. The Hanshu covers the history of the Western Han Dynasty. In addition to the calligraphic texts there are also diagrams illustrating, for example, the Chinese sexagenary cycle or the seasons according to the lunar calendar.

The second book also contains poems and anecdotes from the Hanshu whilst the third book seems to be a collection of thoughts and impressions about the Shiji and Hanshu.



The books are in fair condition with significant wear. The covers are rubbed with visible crease marks. The sides are browned and foxed. The corners are partly kinked. The books measure 20 x 13.5 cm, 22.5 x 13.5 cm and 25.5 x 18.5 cm respectively.