CHINA, Guangxu period (1875-1908) - Lot 54

CHINA, Guangxu period (1875-1908) Imperial archive, representing a paper folder, composed of nine folds, carefully calligraphed by a candidate taking the imperial examination to become an official to the emperor, using the strict codes known as "Baguwen" in six columns per leaf. In the upper part, an emperor's validation seal used since the Tang dynasty ("Nine fold script"). In the lower part, two calligraphic cartouches on a yellow background, one mentioning the candidate's ranking, i.e. 35th place in the 2nd level, the second evoking the name of the high-ranking official who read the document, Tang Jingchong (1844-1914). On the reverse, 3 characters describe the name of the candidate "Lin Qingzhao", who became a politician during the reign of Emperor Guangxu, in the 21st year of 1895. Document signed. Wear, stains. Dim. seal. 10 x 10 cm Dim. folder. Closed 40 x 11.5 cm The imperial examination known as the Keju existed from the Sui/Tang period until 1905. Its purpose was to select the elite for recruitment into the imperial administration. Expert : Cabinet ANSAS Provenance: Asian art collection of General Prosper Clément de Grandprey (1851-1932)