Skip to main content

This auction has ended. View lot details

You may also be interested in

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

The Property of a Lady 女士藏品
Lot 333

ANONYMOUS, 19th century
The Battle of Xiao

2 November 2021, 13:00 GMT
London, New Bond Street

Sold for £15,250 inc. premium

Own a similar item?

Submit your item online for a free auction estimate.

How to sell

Looking for a similar item?

Our Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art specialists can help you find a similar item at an auction or via a private sale.

Find your local specialist

Ask about this lot

ANONYMOUS, 19th century

The Battle of Xiao
Ink and watercolour on silk, inscribed with a narration about the battle, mounted on silk and framed.
The painting, 80cm (31 1/2in) x 82cm (32 1/4in).

Footnotes

十九世紀 晉敗秦師於殽圖

Provenance: Max Morris (1910-2017), acquired in China in 1957, and thence by descent

來源:Max Morris(1910-2017)舊藏,於1957年購自中國,並由後人保存迄今

Max Morris was born in London's East End to Russian immigrant parents. In his youth, he began working in his family's shoe business, P.Morris & Sons based in Shoreditch High Street. He served in the RAF during World War Two, as a French interpreter for air support crews in France, reaching the rank of sergeant.

In August 1957, Morris was part of a small trade delegation to China with the aim of fostering better understanding and trade between China and the UK. During this time, he visited some artists' studios and acquired paintings, some of which were later exhibited at the Herbert Art Gallery and Museum, Coventry.

In the 1980s he taught English at Toynbee Hall to primarily immigrants and was an active patron of the arts and charities. Two days before his 106th birthday he was awarded the British Citizen Award for his charitable work in a ceremony at the House of Lords on 7 July 2016.

The battle of Xiao (627 BC) was a battle between the states of Qin and Jin during the Spring and Autumn period, in an area between the Yellow and Luo rivers, in modern-day Henan Province. The Jin defeated the Qin and solidified its position as the most powerful state in north China for several decades. The Qin suffered a significant loss of about 30,000 men. In time however, the Qin would eventually build their strength again to unify China. The battle was recorded in the Zuozhuan (The Commentary of Zuo).

Additional information

Bid now on these items