Highlights of Superstar Artefacts
Concept of the Value of an Artefact - PROVENANCE
In the property world, the market value of a property is dependant on "location, location, location".
In the artefacts world, the market value of an artefact is dependant on "provenance, provenance, provenance".
What is provenance?
Provenance is basically the story behind an artefact, when and how it was created, its journey, ownership history & what is so significant about this artefact. Two artefacts may be identical and have the same origins but their market values could be vastly different.
For example, the football that was kicked in the final of the last World Cup, if FIFA were to auction off this ball, it would be worth many millions of USD. Exactly the same ball, made by the same manufacturer at the same time and was not used at all, would not be worth very much. The ball that was kicked at the final has a lot of provenance and an exciting story to tell; whereas the other one, has little provenance.
Here is the video about what is regarded as the most expensive artefact in the world today , which has not been found yet - the Imperial Heirloom Jade Seal of the First Emperor of China, Qin Shi Huang - estimated to worth between USD 1 to 5 Trillion. It is of immense political and geopolitical significance.
SPANISH-CALIFORNIA MISSION BELL
Coral-encrusted shipwreck bronze artefact (Weight 400kg, Width 61cm, Height 59cm). Legally acquired via a Kuala Lumpur High Court Order & public auction in 2010, was destinated for an early mission in Jolon, California, called Saint Antonio De Padua (name is engraved on the Bell). It is dated 1784. The Founder of the mission, Father Junipero Serra, also known as the “Apostle of California” died in 1784. He was a famous priest of the Franciscan Friars, a progressive Christian order dedicated to helping the poor and promoting PEACE, justice and reconciliation. Our truly unique and world class Spanish/California Mission Bell, was made (most probably in the Philippines under Spanish rule), obviously in the honour of the Founder, after he passed away. This artefact might have been retrieved from a sunken ship off the coast of California. It links the three continents of Asia, America and Europe.
Spanish mission bells are iconic symbols of the Spanish Empire. This Spanish/California Mission bell is also a legacy of Christopher Columbus' conquest of America, a major game changer in world history, and the subsequent founding of this mission in California in 1771 by Father Junipero Serra. Another major significance of this very peaceful mission, the only intact and undeveloped mission in California, it is where the history of California began. The value of this physical artefact, Spanish/California Mission Bell is truly priceless but if a price must be put on the physical artefact, it would be more than USD 1 Billion.
Here is a 10-minute video of Mission San Antonio de Padua in California: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0Ve7uUqLt3A
CEREMONIAL GOLD INLAID BRONZE SWORD OF KING GOUJIAN
2,500 years old, from Spring & Autumn Period or Eastern Zhou, based on COMPARISON with the sword of his son, the Prince of Yue (discovered at New York stall in 1990s) valued by China at RMB 2 Billion in 2020 (see news attachment below), this bronze artefact is worth several hundred million USD. Our “Not so famous yet” Ceremonial Gold Inlaid Sword also belonged to the King Goujian of Yue based on the 8 ancient “Bird & Worm” characters on our authenticated sword and exactly the same 8 characters on the beautifully preserved Fighting Sword of the same King Goujian of Yue (discovered from an archaeological excavation of an ancient tomb in Hubei in 1965) and being displayed currently at the Hubei Provincial Museum.
The Fighting Sword of King Goujian of Yue, is currently in Hubei Provincial Museum today and is seen as the “Top Sword in the world” (see China Daily Press Story) and the “Excalibur” of China. Our Ceremonial Gold Inlaid Sword is slight shorter by 1.5 inch and the condition is not as good as the beautifully preserved Fighting Sword.
53KG HETIAN JADE MING BUDDHA STATUE
Based on the comparison with 25kg Hetian Jade of Modern Art sold in Wuhan in 2012 at USD 80 million (see news attachment below) and based on big market demand of Xinjiang Hetian Jade (more valuable than gold or diamond) and increasing commodity prices every year for this precious material, this jade artefact is priceless . It has a partly worn out imperial seal at the base and it is likely to belong to the Yongle Emperor (1360 - 1424), a Buddhist. Admiral Zheng He (1371 - 1433), a Muslim, became famous and served under the Yongle Emperor. The Ming Dynasty, 1368 to 1644, was not only the greatest and most glorious dynasty in China’s history but also the mightiest non-conquering empire in the world at that time.
Large Warring States Food Vessel
Large Warring States Food Vessel, with an Imperial Seal at the base
Giant Dabu Dabu Malay Drums
Circa 200 to 300 years old, probably the largest Dabu Dabu drums in the world
Antique Model Malay Sailing Ship (Bronze)
Antique Model Malay Sailing Ship (Wood & Bronze)
Antique Model Malay Sailing Ship (Wood & Bronze)
Circa 500 years old, bronze
Antique Model Malay Sailing Ship (Wood & Bronze)
Antique Model Malay Sailing Ship (Wood & Bronze)
Antique Model Malay Sailing Ship (Wood & Bronze)
Circa 500 years old, wood & bronze
Set of Malay Keris
Set of Malay Keris