A Chinese Underglaze Blue and Copper Red Jar with Cover

42cmx34cm

Xu Yuanquan Former Collection

Xu Yuanquan (1886-1960), also known as Xu Kecheng, was born in Cangbu Town, Huanggang County, Huangzhou Prefecture (now part of Xinzhou), Hubei Province. He was a military general in the Republic of China. After graduating from Hubei Military Preparatory School and Nanjing Fourth Military School, Xu Yuanquan joined the New Army stationed in Nanjing.

In 1912, he served as a staff officer in the Army Department. In 1926, he was promoted to Major General, and in 1928, he became the overall commander of the National Revolutionary Army's Sixth Corps and concurrently the commander of the Eleventh Army. In 1931, he served as the Supervisor for Qingxiang in Hubei and concurrently the overall commander of the Sixteenth Route. In 1935, he was promoted to Lieutenant General and elected as a member of the Central Executive Committee of the Kuomintang.

In July 1928, Sun Dianying (1889-1947) conducted unauthorized excavations under the pretext of military exercises at the tombs of Emperor Qianlong and Empress Dowager Cixi in order to raise military funds. He collected a large number of treasures, causing a public uproar. However, Sun Dianying spared no expense to bribe officials and successfully suppressed this major tomb robbery case, bringing it to an end. At the time of Sun Dianying's tomb excavation, Xu Yuanquan was the overall commander of the National Revolutionary Army's Sixth Corps and, therefore, Sun Dianying's immediate superior, reaping considerable benefits from the operation.

According to records, Xu Yuanquan had considered selling a large quantity of Chinese cultural relics to foreigners. He subsequently built a luxurious villa in a remote area of his hometown, funded by the proceeds from Sun Dianying's tomb excavation.

In 1948, Xu Yuanquan retreated to Taiwan with the government of the Republic of China. He passed away in Taipei in 1960 at the age of 75 due to cerebral hemorrhage.

The items in this collection of Xu Yuanquan are provided by a private collector in Taiwan. The items bear the mark "Gift from the 12th Army Commander in the 17th year of the Republic of China" and are stamped with the seal of "Xu Yuanquan." The seal, engraved by Qi Baishi, was dedicated to Xu Yuanquan, and the 12th Army was Sun Dianying's unit at the time. The consignor also provided the boxes used to store these artifacts, which still bear the seals of the National Revolutionary Army.

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