18th/19th C. Prince Chengzhe 成哲親王, Calligraphy Couplet, ink on silk, hanging scroll. Signed.
Each scroll contains a single column of Chinese Characters surrounded by a repeating pattern of sinuous dragons and undulating cloud-formations, by Prince Chengzhe (成哲親王; 1752-1823). Chengzhe is Emperor Qianlong’s 11th son who was deemed Prince Cheng of the First Rank in 1789. The Script is laid upon a rich red background and stamped with several official gilt seals. An immaculate piece of history.


Dimensions: Scroll Height: 89 1/2" Width: 15 1/4" Painting Height: 79 1/8" Width: 12 1/4"

PROVENANCE:
From the heirloom collections of Wu Guozhen (吳國楨; October 21, 1903-June 6, 1984) was a Chinese political figure and historian, government official who served as mayor of Hankow (1932-1938), mayor of Chung-king (1939-1941), political vice minister of foreign affairs (1943-45), mayor of Shanghai (1946-1948), and governor of Taiwan (1950-1952) and the former Chairman of Taiwan Provincial Government. He resigned in 1953 and went to the United States.

K.C. Wu lived in the United States where he served as professor of Chinese history at Armstrong Atlantic State University in Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia. During his time in the United States, he wrote various works, including a detailed analysis on Chinese culture in the context of mythology and early history in his book The Chinese Heritage.

Wu is remembered mainly for his vital role in the formation of a liberal modern Taiwan and his anti-communist beliefs typical of a member of Kuomintang, but he is also remembered for his brave anti-Kuomintang rhetoric and turbulent disagreements with the more Russian-styled second President of Taiwan.

The Collections of Wu Guozhen (吳國楨) presented and offered up to auctions
ON DAY-1: from Lot-97 through Lot-127, continued from Lot-219 through Lot-255.
ON DAY-2: from Lot-354 through Lot-377, continued from Lot-451 through Lot-480.


LOT NOTES:
Prince Cheng of the First Rank, or simply Prince Cheng (成哲親王; 1752-1823) was the title of a princely peerage used in China during the Manchu-led Qing dynasty (1644-1912). As the Prince Cheng peerage was not awarded "iron-cap" status, this meant that each successive bearer of the title would normally start off with a title downgraded by one rank vis-a-vis that held by his predecessor. However, the title would generally not be downgraded to any lower than a feng'en fuguo gong except under special circumstances.
The first bearer of the title was Yongxing (永瑆; 1752-1823), the Qianlong Emperor's 11th son, who was made "Prince Cheng of the First Rank" in 1789. The title was passed down over seven generations and held by seven persons.

Natural imperfection on the medium (paper or silk), regardless from any major damages; includes light blooms, discoloration and minor fading. Consider normal due to the ages.

All lots are sold as is and where is. Lauren Galleries provides condition reports upon request to aide in your bidding decision. No statement regarding age, condition, kind, value, or quality of a lot, whether made orally at the auction or at any other time, or in writing in this catalog or elsewhere, shall be construed to be an express or implied warranty, representation, or assumption of liability. All sales are final, Lauren Galleries does not give refunds based on condition. Lauren Galleries does not perform any shipping or packing services. We do have a list of suggested shippers who gladly provide quotes prior to your bidding. Please visit our webpage for a list of recommended shippers.