Chinese emperor's musket going back to 1700s set to fetch £1.5 MILLION at auction
AN "EXQUISITELY crafted" musket created for the Qianlong Emperor of the Manchu Qing dynasty is expected to sell for £1.5million when it comes up for auction next month.
The Chinese musket is expected to sell for £1.5million when it comes up for auction next month
The Supreme Number One firearm was made for China's second longest reigning emperor during his time on the throne from 1736-1795.
He would regularly hunt with the weapon and praised its quality in an "eloquent" poem he personally wrote.
The musket, which has gold and silver decoration, bears four Chinese characters on the breech of the barrel to denote its peerless ranking.
The Chinese musket was created for the Qianlong Emperor of the Manchu Qing dynasty
This makes it unique among the existing guns made by the Imperial Household for the Qianlong Emperor. It also has the imperial reign mark on the top of the barrel.
In 1798, one year before his death at the age of 88, the Emperor wrote a poem about shooting a deer in which he praised the precision of his musket.
The Supreme Number One is closely related to six celebrated, named imperial Qianlong muskets in the collection of the Palace Museum, Beijing.
Sotheby's has announced it is the first auction house to offer a Chinese firearm
It ranks as one of the most significant Chinese treasures ever to come to auction
Sotheby's has announced it is the first auction house to offer a Chinese firearm with an imperial reign mark.
It has been given a guide price of £1 million - £1.5 million ahead of its sale in London on November 9.
Robert Bradlow, senior director, Chinese Works of Art, Sotheby's London, said: "This remarkable object epitomises the pinnacle of imperial craftsmanship during the Qing dynasty.
The Supreme Number One firearm was made for China’s second longest reigning emperor
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"The gun's historical importance cannot be overstated. It ranks as one of the most significant Chinese treasures ever to come to auction."
A rare Chinese teapot from the Qianlong dynasty sold last month for £2.6million - ten times its expected price.