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Emperor Qianlong’s Jade Imperial Seal In London Auction

by on Thursday, November 5, 2009 243 comments

BRITAIN-CHINA-ENT-ARTS-AUCTION

Earlier this year at a Christie’s auction regarding the sell of two bronze Zodiac Heads caused uproars of nationalistic sentiments online. Today, another auction at the Sotheby’s Auction House in London once again provoked in the minds of the Chinese netizens the past histories of humiliation and loss. The main item of attraction is Emperor Qianlong’s own jade seal, estimated to fetch up to 600,000 British Pounds. Historically, the Imperial Seal represents the very raison d’être of a dynasty. In fact, the character for country “国” contained the character “玉”, or jade, as a important symbol for national legitimacy. In addition, the other item up for auction includes chinaware and ironically relics from the Cultural Revolution.

From ifeng:

November 2nd, attendants at London’s Sotheby’s Auction House displayed Qing Dynasty Qianlong “Treasure of eight journey and perennial thoughts”, Cross Dragon Imperial Seal and the Tianqing Jade Seal (Estimated: 400,000 and 600,000 Pound). London’s Sotheby’s Auction House will on November 4th 2009 hold an auction of Chinese porcelain and handcraft. Items up for auction includes Han Dynasty glazed horses, Qianlong Imperial Seals, and Cultural Revolution Era relics.

Auction house worker displaying the underside of the jade seal.

Auction house worker displaying the underside of the jade seal.

Part of the collection at the auction, two-piece of Qing era Jade sceptre.

Part of the collection at the auction, two-piece of Qing era Jade sceptre.

Inspecting the collection at the auction, to the right is Han Dynasty era glazed horse figurine.

Inspecting the collection at the auction, to the right is a Han Dynasty era glazed horse figurine.

Local time November 2nd, 2009. London, England, Workers at Sotheby's Auction House displayed a poster, on it wrote: America's invasion of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam is an invasion of China.

Local time November 2nd, 2009. London, England, Workers at Sotheby's Auction House displayed a poster, on it wrote: America's invasion of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam is an invasion of China.

Local time November 2nd, 2009. London, England, Workers at Sotheby's Auction House displayed works of Chinese porcelain, depicting Mao Zedong and peasant students together.

Local time November 2nd, 2009. London, England, Workers at Sotheby's Auction House displayed works of Chinese porcelain, depicting Mao Zedong and peasant students together.

Comments from ifeng:

大漠沙尘:

This is the true face of Western thieves under the guise of culture and human rights! Look at those finely dressed savages! Chinese people will take back everything that once belonged to us!

cqyangz:

Shameless British people; Humiliating chapter in recent Chinese history.

莲花如梦:

When did these treasures flow abroad???

山丁子:

Western democracy is built on the foundation of theft.

litielei:

This you cannot blame on others, who let our government at the time be so worthless. In the future when we are strong, we will take it back from their hands.

fenghuangpy:

That poster must be a joke! I do not even know how they obtained it.

a6798024:

The Old Summer Palace is a national humiliation, but it does have bad and good outcomes. If those relics were not looted, then they will probably be destroyed in the extermination campaigns during the Culture Revolution.

jobenc:

Our diplomats can only “Protest strongly regarding this matter”, can’t do much else.

Comments from NetEase:

网易陕西榆林网友:

Westerners like to boast their civilization and morality; do not spit on the street, do not throw trash everywhere, and look down on Chinese people’s qualities. In reality, the uncivilized and greedy ones are them. In the past, those who killed all the Native Americans, exported opium across the world, colonized the whole globe, kill and looted everywhere. Aren’t those people their [Westerner] ancestors? Those born of wild animals, will always be animals, what civilization can they have.

网易海南海口网友:

Never forget national humiliation~~

网易广东深圳网友:

That bird [Mao], purposely act as if he is a head taller than the peasants, scum, why don’t he put on a Dragon robe [Imperial]!

网易山东烟台网友:

The Eight Nation Alliance were really low class, loot if you want, but why smash and burn the thing you can’t carry. Despicable, give us back the Old Summer Palace.

网易山东济南网友:

Now is not America invading Vietnam, nor China protecting Vietnam, now is Vietnam intruding on China!!!

网易陕西西安网友:

Wow, Mao really must’ve been a great man, that height is at least 2 meters right?

The Imperial Seal was sold today (November 5th) for 3.15 million British Pounds.

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  1. FOARP
    Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 1:44 pm

    The thing which nobody ever mentions is this – in 1949 millions of people in China who owned land had their property taken away from them. Some of these properties are now open exhibits like the He Yuan in Yangzhou, likewise many churches, foreign owned buildings (like every building on the Bund!) were seized by the government, often with the original owners being either killed or brutalised in the process. Now the government itself has turned these buildings over to others with no compensation to the original owners.

    What is being auctioned at Sothebys is, no doubt, at least in a large part booty, but the Chinese government has done exactly the same with property expropriated in 1949 worth tens of billions up and down the country. Furthermore, some of the original owners of these properties are still alive – not dead for more than two centuries as is the case with the Qianlong seal – yet not a single voice of protest is raised at this.

    Reply
    • KimYushin
      Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 5:36 pm

      This is China for you.=]Its okay to criticize others but not criticize yourself.

      Reply
    • whichone
      Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 10:41 pm

      That is a valid point, but I think the difference is the seal is a family heirloom stolen by others when the entire family is sick, then some of the family members went bat shit crazy and destroyed a lot stuff. It’s easier to criticize the thieves because the family is no longer sick and wants their shit back. At the same time, the head of the family is still a crazy person who brought in a lot of dough, so it’s embarrassing and futile to argue with that.

      There is no doubt communism did a lot of damage, but emotionally it’s more acceptable than when other have done the same.

      Reply
      • Mike Fish
        Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 2:54 pm

        Let me fix your analogy…

        A little antique is family B’s heirloom. Family B, some hicks from the northwoods, took over family C’s house, made family C into their servants and stole all their hot daughters. Family C eventually kicked family B out, made them live in the doghouse and either stole, broke, or sold all their shit at a yard sale. They told everybody that family B were asshole foreigners who should go back to the northwoods they came from. Later family C realized some of the shit of family B’s that they sold at the yard sale was actually worth something so they went to the flea market and ordered the dude there selling it to give it back. They said “that shit belong to me, Family B actually my family”. “You told everybody Family B are not your family” the flea market dude replied. “but I didn’t realize their shit so valuable” said family C. The dude at the flea market looked at family C and said “fuck you man, you r CRAZY” and everybody laughed at family C.

        Reply
  2. g khan
    Sunday, November 8, 2009 at 12:56 am

    chinese are natural whiners, prolly invented it and only thing they’re good at. they talk about gunpowder, lotta good that did when my mongol ancestors kicked your sorry asses in battle. only saving grace for chinese is they inherited mongol blood when we conquered them and took all their women. who’s your daddy now??

    Reply
  3. Fcuk Da Lu Ren
    Sunday, November 8, 2009 at 12:14 pm

    BTW, how are we sure that this relic was not taken by a CHINESE who fled with it at some point, moved to Europe (because that’s what they do when they have money) and then passed it down or sold it to private collectors? Now its being auctioned.

    Do we know that it was taken by “foreign armies?”

    Reply
    • Jean
      Monday, November 9, 2009 at 1:37 am

      “You know, I recently met with a German diplomat who was privy to a lot of the things that are going on in China and Chinese activities all over the world. You can say what you want about the west. But Chinese are responsible for the most heinous crimes in the world and the most disgusting tortures, lack of justice and murders IN THE WORLD.

      Stop your “western powers bullying us” cry baby bull shit and eat a dick China. You guys no matter how powerful will never stand against and American or a European you know why? YOU DONT HAVE THE BALLS. FCUK CHINA!!!

      If you are so strong go take TW back tomorrow and watch how we blast that ass back to 1949.

      BTW if we attack between 12-2 pm we will WIN because you are all sleeping. Cut off two meals from a Chinaman and he will run home to his mommie who cooks for him until he is 40 years old. You really think you guc motherfuckers can stand against real men? Here is the challenge, fuck your mother come get some!!! Let’s roll”

      hey, stop talking as you were an American. I mean, America is the only country which is economically and militarily superior to China. You as “x country” is just hiding behind their back and claiming that you can win China, you are not qualified. I thought that you hated CCP, but it is clear that you hate CHINESE, then why don’t you go back to your country, the same for Chinese who hate their host country. CCP wannabe!

      Reply
      • MAOCUNT
        Monday, November 9, 2009 at 3:43 am

        You will be surprise. Chinese navy is obsolete even to the Japanese navy. Additionally, China is surrounded by enemies from all sides. You think Russia is your ally (But in reality, Russians hate Chinese), Vietnam hates Chinese more, and there is like Indians who even hate Chinese even more. The moment China invade Taiwan unprovoked, its prob gonna be drive back by a multi-nation coalition, much like Iraq in the Gulf War.

        US Asses aint the only one stronger than China. The Europeon Union (With UK, France and Germany there) is stronger as well. Japan can aid Taiwan, and since their navy and air power is stronger along with South Korea, they can raped the Chinese landing crafts.

        Additionally, there is a problem with China from within. The Tibetans and Uyghurs will not take this opportunity to revolt? Do you think HKers and Macau will agree to such an attack? And plz dun talk about nukes, China isnt the only country that have nukes. In fact if they nuke Taiwan, they will get nuke by USA. And since USA have a better nuke defence system and their nukes have better range, you can clearly see the outcome. Theres a reason why China havent make a move on Taiwan yet, cuz they noe its impossible and they will screw up themselves. Looking at the Chinese military parade last time, you can clearly see China is like a decade behind in technology.

        The New Type 99, China adored so much is an inferior Tank compare to Leopard M2A1, the Leclerc, Challenger 2, M1 Abrams and the Japanese Type 90. And while the Type 99 is a relatively new tank, most of the later tanks are relics from the late cold war-early 90s and are going to be replaced in the short future. So plz stop making threats about Blowing up the rest of the world cuz China cant. The moment China blasted Taiwan back to 1949, China will prob be blasted back to the Pleistocene.

        Reply
        • Jean
          Monday, November 9, 2009 at 5:31 am

          can you tell me which country can survive an attach between the EU, USA, Japan, India? In such scenario you are giving me, of course China will be defetead. I am asking you which country is more powerful than China overall, beside US.

          Reply
          • whichone
            Monday, November 9, 2009 at 5:58 am

            don’t encourage him.

          • Jeremiah
            Monday, November 9, 2009 at 11:21 pm

            In terms of military strength?

            I’d wager most major western powers excel China in regards to military strength.

            China has the largest standing army in the world. Unfortunately for China, modern warfare is no longer dependant soley upon ground fighting.

            The first line of defense (and offense) is nuclear strike capability, nuclear defense, air strike capability, and naval power. These are all areas China falls far short in.

            According to official numbers given by the CCP, China spent about $30-$65 billion on the military in 2008 (depending on which reports you go by), while most observes outside the CCP estimate China to have spent closer to $100-$140 billion.

            The first figures given by the CCP would put China in line with the U.K. in terms of overall money spent in relation to their military budget.

            The second set of figures would move China up the list, but they’d still be well short of what the U.S. is currently spending. ($667 billion. Yes you read it right. $667 BILLION.)

            Relative expenditures in regards to percentage of total GDP drops China even lower, putting them beneath the U.S., Russia, the U.K., and even Taiwan. In fact, it puts China in line with Japan (1.4% and 1.0% respectively), who officially doesn’t even have a standing army. Not very good company for a country that would find herself short of dependable allies should war in the East suddenly break out.

            None of this is even considering China’s technological problem. Namely, 1.) That China’s military is reliant upon foreign weapons technology that is 2.) Extremely outdated, and was outdated before China ever acquired it.

            I hope I’m not shitting in anyone’s mouth here, but China’s military is still far short of catching up to what we’ve seen in “the West”, however you wish to define it.

          • MAOCUNT
            Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 1:25 pm

            @Jeremiah, very nice analysis, =], you know you your stuff.

            @Jean, the only reason I suggest the multinational offensive against China is the fact that your comment is directed against many countries. So it pretty much China vs “the western powers and other democratic states”. I honestly dont know how to compare how powerful a state is, the only thing I know is there alot of places China cannot successfully invade. Sui and Tang China were dominant power in their regions of their time, but how long did it take them to conquer Korea? And they both eventually got chased out.

          • Mike Fish
            Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 2:57 pm

            Who will win between a rabid Kodiak grizzly and an orca whale with an ear infection?

        • Akbar Lo
          Thursday, November 12, 2009 at 12:14 pm

          umm,
          type 99 is a heavy tank 65+ ton?

          and its only used in ne china in flat lands, cause its pretty much useless in every other part of the country.

          Reply
        • Strangerland
          Wednesday, June 30, 2010 at 10:43 pm

          “Additionally, China is surrounded by enemies from all sides.”

          I went to Japanese-news-website ones and they often use this kind of sentence to justify the American military base in Okinawa. Like, hey, Japan you’re surrounded by enemies. Without the base in okinawa you’ll be deadmeat you know.
          And now they use the same line with China. Hey China, you’re surrounded by enemies you know.
          Even Japan are having their internal conflicts too (Hello…Okinawan are not exactly thinking of themselves as Japanese right- and how about the Ainuu?)

          So this is how the westerners play devide et impera politic? By telling every asian nations that “you’re surrounded by enemies, let us help you by setting up a military base there and keep you safe.” eh. Not bad, not bad at all. Always the cunning men, those westerners!

          But actually no country in this world is not surrounded by enemies. Every countries in the world also have their internal conflicts too(British with IRA, Iraq with their Shiite/Sunni sects or whatever sects they come up with nowadays, India with Pakistan or between the Moslem and Hindhu themselves)…Bad bloods from the past happen between and inside every country, so it’s not exactly right to use this reasoning as justification.
          Ah, when will mankind learn…….

          Reply
  4. ired
    Monday, November 9, 2009 at 2:32 pm

    Just a note vis-a-vis the items photographed – the poster and statue were actually sold at Bloomsbury Auctions in London on Nov. 5 in an auction entitled, “Mao and the Arts of New China”.

    Reply
  5. Potomacker
    Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 12:56 am

    “In addition, the other item up for auction includes chinaware and ironically relics from the Cultural Revolution.”

    What exactly is ironic about including such items together in the same auction?

    Reply
  6. simple
    Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 11:07 pm

    stop saying western people!!!!! sounds sooooo fucking funny…..the fucking peruvians thieves, bring the chines artifacts back…

    Reply
  7. stuart
    Thursday, November 12, 2009 at 9:32 pm

    Did someone steal something?

    Reply
  8. flo
    Thursday, November 12, 2009 at 10:09 pm

    I’m a firm advocate that these precious artifacts should be returned to China to be protected and cherished but, let’s look at it from a different point of view… How many of these “artifacts” would have survived intact through the cultural revolution? It’s true that these priceless historical artifacts where plundered by the evil foreigners, neverthless at least they survived the cultural revolution and are now, hopefully placed in museums where everyone can enjoy their beauty.

    Reply
    • A Chinese Man
      Saturday, November 14, 2009 at 6:48 am

      so if you don’t have a good jewel box at home to keep your necklace, I am entitled to rob it and “preserve” it for you? Your stuff is your stuff, I can’t take it no matter what.

      Reply
  9. A Chinese Man
    Saturday, November 14, 2009 at 6:42 am

    what the heck are all these stupid Chinese debating for?

    like talking can get these lost stuffs back to you.

    Get stronger so nobody can take from you anymore. And then you can take these stuffs back from the Britts.

    Reply
    • Jeremiah
      Saturday, November 14, 2009 at 12:49 pm

      China will never invade Britain, and would never win if she did. You guys need to get these uber-nationalistic fantasies out of your head.

      Reply
      • A Chinese Man
        Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at 3:36 pm

        hehe, let’s see.

        Reply
      • Master C
        Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 12:35 am

        No need to invade. Britain will destroy itself with it’s suspect stance on so many issues. As the rest of the world comes to know what they intend and who they truly are, China won’t want to get it’s hands dirty by associating with them, even with bullets. Know where the decay of the world starts.

        Any right minded Caucaso-Westerns who work for the right causes are of course always welcome to work with the just and righteous. Asian nations and all their ideological allies gladly welcome all right minded Caucaso-Westerners not intent on anti-social behaviour such as starting wars, occupation, colonialism and hegemony.

        Reply
  10. XpatLaowai
    Saturday, April 10, 2010 at 1:12 am

    As art in trade it serves to promote Chinese culture around the world. If it were back in China, it would be forgotten.

    Reply
  11. salam
    Tuesday, May 18, 2010 at 12:40 am

    mao was 5’9″, i’m not lying

    Reply
  12. dennis molina
    Saturday, October 2, 2010 at 6:46 am

    i have a chinese millefluer vase, qianlong four character seal mark
    with double square. how much does it worth?

    dennis

    Reply
  13. DDA
    Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at 6:42 pm

    Adding more fuel to a burninggg THREADD!!

    Reply
  14. Philip
    Sunday, December 11, 2011 at 7:11 am

    The good that came from the British rape and pillage of China, and let’s not forget providing opium, was that China had a revolution that overthrew the weak government for one that has made China an independent nation again. Yes, bad stuff happened and that is always focused on in the West because they “lost” China after 1949 (check Noam Chomsky’s writings). However, many benefits have come from the revolution, including decreased infant mortality rates, increased life expectancy and a raising of living standards for hundreds of millions of people. This has happened in the course of 63 years, something never achieved before by any nation. China continues to develop and change-don’t be impatient and don’t try to become a pale reflection of western states-keep your Chinese characteristics.

    Reply
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