Uncertain Company "Tea Money" Brick of 39.5 Ounces ND (after 1878?-1917) AU (Damage), Opitz-pg. 341 (this piece illustrated). 242x187x20mm. 1121.8gm. 8-lobed incuse cartouche contained scene of a steamship / perforated into 16 panels, each with the motif of an infinite knot (a Buddhist symbol of good fortune and prosperity) containing the number 88 (8 being the most auspicious Chinese number, and 88 bearing an affinity to Shuang-xi "double joy"). An interesting brick which bears no inscriptions whatsoever. The image of a steamship on the obverse may be an allusion to the Russian Dobroflot (Volunteer Fleet), which was founded in 1878, and played a prominent role in the overseas tea trade. The reverse displays a small inventory sticker from the Opitz Collection. Ex. Charles J. Opitz Collection (Heritage Auction #3077, December 2019, Lot 38103)

HID09801242017

© 2020 Heritage Auctions | All Rights Reserved

To the auctioneer's website