Wednesday 5 November 2025

Lot 993

A set of twelve Chinese bisque porcelain busts of Mao Zedong circa 1966-67 Each inscribed 'Long...

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Lot 993

A set of twelve Chinese bisque porcelain busts of Mao Zedong
circa 1966-67
Each inscribed 'Long...

Price Realised: Unsold Lot

Estimate: £400 - £600

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Price realised is hammer price plus fees (31.2% Buyers Premium inclusive of VAT).

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Lot 993

Description

A set of twelve Chinese bisque porcelain busts of Mao Zedong

circa 1966-67

Each inscribed 'Long Live Chairman Mao' in cursive script, 18cm high (12).

Provenance: Peter Wain

Cf. A set from the same hoard was exhibited: Mao: Art For The Masses, Revolutionary Art of the Mao Zedong Era, 1950-1976, National Museum of Scotland, Edinburgh, May 2003 - March 2004, cat. no. 32.

二十世紀中期 毛主席瓷塑半身像一組十二尊

類似一組瓷塑像展覽於:大眾藝術:毛澤東期間的革命藝術",蘇格蘭博物館,愛丁堡,2003年5月至2004年3月,圖錄編號32。

來源:彼得·韋恩 (Peter Wain) 收藏

A hoard of 400 bisque porcelain busts of Chairman Mao were discovered on the Sino-Tibetan border in an area regarded as the inspiration for Shangri-La.

Originally intended for distribution throughout the South Eastern corner of Tibet, they were packed into baskets and transported by horse to Zhong Dian on the Yunnan Tibet border. The baskets were stored awaiting distribution in a police station but never made it any further, languishing forgotten until 1998 when the building was destroyed by an earthquake. The busts miraculously survived, protected by their transit baskets and straw wadding.

The design of the bust was officially sanctioned, being the only sculptural image of Mao made for distribution to official buildings in China. The majority of the hoard was bought by the late Peter Wain, before being shipped to the UK.

Buyer's Premium

The buyer shall pay the hammer price together with a premium thereon of 26% up to £20,000 (31.2% inclusive of VAT), 25% from £20,001 - £500,000 (30% inclusive of VAT), 20% from £500,001 thereafter (24% inclusive of VAT). The premium price is subject to VAT at the standard rate.

VAT
VAT is not charged on the hammer price unless it is stated that there is 'VAT applicable on the hammer price at the end of the description. Buyer's premium is subject to VAT.
(ARR) - ARTIST'S RESALE RIGHT

Qualifying living artists and the descendants of artists deceased within the last 70 years are entitled to receive a re-sale royalty each time their work is bought through an auction house or art market professional.

It applies to lots with hammer value over £1,000 as follows:
0 to £50,000 - 4%
£50,000.01 to £200,000 - 3%
£200,000.01 to £350,000 - 1%
£350,000.01 to £500,000 - 0.5%
Exceeding £500,000 - 0.25%
ARR is capped at £12,500

Please note ARR is calculated in euros. Auctioneers will apply current exchange rates.

Export of goods

Buyers intending to export goods should ascertain whether an export licence is required before bidding. Export licences are issued by Arts Council England and application forms can be obtained from its Export Licensing Unit. Details can be found on the ACE website www.artscouncil.org.uk or by phoning ACE on 020 7973 5188. The need for import licences varies from country to country and you should acquaint yourself with all relevant local requirements and provisions before bidding. The refusal of any such licences shall not permit the cancelling of any sale nor allow any delay in making full payment for the lot.

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