A COMPLETE AND RARE SET OF SHIWAN 'XIANGQI' FIGURES, REPUBLIC PERIODChina, 1912-1949. Six men, all expressively carved, bearded, and with variously receding hairlines, seated on craggy rocks, all around a huge stone fashioned as a xiangqi (Chinese chess) table, with six pieces, a teapot, and two bowls on top. One man holds the 'pao' (cannon) piece in his hand and intensely considers his next, likely decisive move, while his opponent has a look of worry and the others are in sclerotic excitement. (7)Inscriptions: To the side of the chess table, Le zai qi zhong ('Find Pleasure in'). To the side of one rock, Zhao. To each rock with seated figure, Guzhen ('Old Treasures')Provenance: English private collection.Condition: Two figures with reattached arms, some with old minor touchups and other smaller repairs. Given the many exposed areas, the large set, and its considerable age, this must still be considered as a very good condition. Weight: 6.8 kg (total)Dimensions: Height 22.5 (the largest)Xiangqi originated in China and is therefore commonly called Chinese chess in English. It represents a battle between two armies, with the object of capturing the enemy's 'general' piece. Distinctive features of the game include the unique movement of the 'pao' (cannon) piece, a rule prohibiting the generals from facing each other directly, and the 'river' and 'palace' board features, which restrict the movement of some pieces.Expert's note: A complete set of figures of such high quality and artistic merit, with the maker clearly being a big fan of the subject game, is very rare and simply unseen on the auction market. Note the great attention to detail, with every figure showing a different, strong character, their well modeled slightly emaciated features, and the various ceramic vessels used.民國一套罕見象棋人物組 中國,1912-1949年。六個男人都留著鬍鬚,表情豐富,髮型各有不同,坐在岩石上,一側有一塊鑲有象棋盤的桌子的巨大石頭,上面有六個棋子,一個茶壺和兩個碗。 一個人手裡拿著“大砲”,思考著他的下一步棋,而他的對手顯得非常憂心,其他人則處於興奮激動中。 棋桌下石頭一側可見“樂在其中”;另一側可見“趙遙”二字。下棋者的石凳一側可見“古珍”二字。 來源:英國私人收藏. 品相:兩個人物的雙臂重新固定過,一些人進行了曾有過小修,還有其他較小的修。 考慮到許多裸露的區域,大型人物組以及其年代,該人物組的狀況算是非常好的。 重量:縂6.8公斤 尺寸:最大的高22.5 厘米 專家注釋: 如此高品質和藝術價值的完整人物組非常完整,而其製作人顯然是象棋的忠實擁護者,這在拍賣市場上是非常鮮見的。 請注意對細節的生動表現,每個人物都顯示出不同而強烈的特徵,表現出輕微的瘦弱特徵,並使用了各種陶瓷容器。