The 2025 December Auction - Sale 346 (December 13 - December 16, 2025)
Sale 346
- (-) Remove Historical Postcards and Real Photos filter Historical Postcards and Real Photos
King Wen of Zhou (captioned “Yüan Wang, Kaiser von China”) and King Zhou of Shang (captioned “Gau Sin, Kaiser von China”), published by Gebr. Feyl, Berlin SW. Lightly toned. VF-F.
published by Edit. Kingshill, each depicting a portrait of Confucius (孔子). A scarce and appealing trio spanning the Qing and PRC periods, illustrating early Western interpretations of Chinese cultural icons.
(1) “Confucius by a Chinese Artist,”, depicting Confucius seated in a carriage drawn by an attendant, with English biographical text beneath.
(2) “支那元祖忽必烈,” Japanese issue, showing a portrait of Kublai Khan, the founder of the Yuan dynasty, in formal robes.
the first hand-colored on plain card, the second printed photographically. An uncommon duo showing the early Ming imperial couple, produced for educational or historical souvenir purposes.
depicting scenes of the late Qing imperial court, including portraits of the Empress Dowager Cixi and the Empress seated in state, and formal audiences of the Emperor granting receptions to foreign representatives. Finely printed in monochrome and color-tinted formats. An attractive and historically significant assemblage of early 20th-century European-issued postcards illustrating the court ceremonial life of the Qing dynasty.
including views of the German Consul and staff with a Qing official at Itschang (Yichang), audience scenes before the Emperor, court ceremonies at Jung-ho-kung (Beijing Lama Temple), and imperial guards in full uniform. Several with printed German captions, one hand-annotated in ink, all unused.
depicting the Guangxu Emperor and the Xianfeng Emperor respectively, finely produced early European-issued portrait postcards of Qing rulers.
depicting the Empress Dowager Cixi (慈禧太后) in full imperial regalia within the palace interior, holding a mirror and fan, with elaborate furniture and floral arrangements. Captioned “The Late Empress Dowager Ise Hsi of China” and numbered “181” at foot. Reverse multilingual “Carte Postale” back, unused. A scarce contemporary portrait of the most powerful woman of late Imperial China.
depicting the Empress seated in full court attire holding a fan, printed in monochrome tone, titled “Empress Dowager of China.” A finely printed commemorative postcard issued shortly after her death, of strong historical interest.
showing a group of palace ladies in formal attire surrounding the Empress Dowager seated at center, finely composed studio scene. A scarce early postcard illustrating Qing court costume and ceremony.
depicting scenes of the Qing imperial court, respectively showing portraits of the princes of the blood, the Empress Dowager and Emperor with royal family members, and the enthronement ceremony of the Emperor. Finely produced early foreign-issued color postcards featuring Qing court themes.
including views of the infant emperor and his younger brother in palace settings, one hand-tinted and another inscribed “The Baby Occupant of the Dragon Throne.” Printed in monochrome and color-tinted formats, each showing early foreign-issued portrait scenes of the last Qing emperor. A scarce trio illustrating the childhood of Emperor Puyi, issued shortly after his enthronement.