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(two entries on page)
(entry one)

No. 115

Gilded Silver washing Vessel
h. 1.4" in. diametre 3.7" in.

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This was manufactured in the shape of a bowl, having three holes on the brim.  Its cute and strange shape has to be seen to be appreciated.  It is gilded all over and covered with a coat of green earth mould, due to its long contact with the earth.  Being among the collections of the Chen Kai Chi of Wei Hsien, Shantung.

(second entry)
[(XxxxxxxX)]

No. 116.
Brass Inlaid Cowry Tortoise
l. 2.4" in. w.4.2" in.

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Cowrie being a small glassy shell was used in the early Three Dynasties as money--the socalled precious article.  Owing to the rarity of the shell it was inlaid with brass and made into the shape of a tortoise and used as a paper wright around royal palaces.

Tortoises were considered as a long life reptile and hence auspicious and therefore having been prized by the ancients.  

It was excavated in Shanse, the heavy coating of green and black mould has maid the thing very valuable.  It was secured by the noted connoisseur of Wei Hsien Shantung.