Sale 6418
| New York
| New York
Lot 16
Estimate$60,000 – $80,000
To request further details about this lot, please email [email protected]
Provenance:
Property from the Estate of General Han-Chien Chueh, Taiwan, thence by descent.
Exhibited:
The National Museum of History, Taipei, 1967.
General Chueh Han-Chien (Que Hanqian, 1901–1972) was a distinguished Nationalist commander during the Second Sino-Japanese War. A graduate of the fourth class of the Republic of China Military Academy, he rose through the ranks of the Republic of China Armed Forces to become a lieutenant general. Though his military career began at Whampoa, his reputation was forged on the battlefield during China’s desperate struggle against Japanese aggression in World War II.
He earned renown in campaigns across North Guangdong, Southern Guangxi, and Western Yunnan. During the 1937 Battle of Shanghai, he led his men with remarkable bravery under relentless artillery and aerial bombardment. As Chinese forces withdrew, Chueh’s troops remained behind as the rearguard, holding their position for three months against overwhelming odds. With the outbreak of the Pacific War, he was stationed in Yunnan, where he commanded the perilous crossing of the Nu River and the assault on the Gaoligong Mountains. His bold maneuvers were captured in a film produced by Lieutenant Colonel Elvis Jacob Stahr Jr. during his mission with Chinese combat units and brought to America to rally support.
Beyond his military career, Chueh was also a celebrated calligrapher, famed for his distinctive “Boyun style,” which was highly regarded alongside the works of Yu Youren and Wu Zhihui. He shared a close friendship with the renowned painter Qi Baishi, a fellow Hunan native and forty years his senior, who carved many of Chueh’s seals. Even in later years in Taipei, Chueh would recall this friendship fondly to his children.
General Chueh’s collection of calligraphy and painting was extensive. Some of it was later donated by his descendants to public institutions in Shanghai and Taipei, while a smaller portion appeared on the market, including works offered at China Guardian’s 2012 Spring Auction. The present lot comes directly from the General’s family, consigned by his grandchildren.
來源：
抗日名将闕漢骞（1901-1972）舊藏。
展覽：
1967年展覽于臺北國立歷史博物舘。
阙汉骞字拨云，湖南宁远阙家庄人，黄埔四期步科毕业，中华民国陆军中将。他的軍旅生涯起於黃埔，功績創于抗日。於粵北、桂南、滇西屢建奇功：淞滬會戰羅店洛陽橋之役，飛機砲兵砲火猛轟之下奮勇殺敵。上海轉進時擔任掩護，死守三月。安徽誓節渡一役與日軍白刃肉搏，使敵膽寒。粵北會戰中出盡奇兵，迫使日軍倉惶退至廣州。
太平洋戰爭爆發後進駐雲南，強渡怒江戰役，進攻高黎貢山，麾下军官诵岳飞《满江红》與文天祥《正气歌》，士兵以 “还我河山” 為臂章，以“武官不惜死”相勉。被美陸軍部長史塔爾（時任美軍駐華顧問）拍成電影，帶回美國宣揚。
他是也是著名的书法家，造詣不凡，以 “拨云体”與于右任、吴稚晖并稱一時。與齊白石既是同鄉又是忘年之交（齊張闕四十余嵗），不少印章為齊所刻。晚年定居臺北，猶對子女回憶這段交往。闕漢骞所蓄書畫頗豐，大部分由後人捐獻上海、臺北的公立機構。小部分曾上拍于2012年嘉德春拍“大觀”夜場和近现代书画日場。本場拍品由阙將軍孫輩委托。
The pigments have softened overall with color fading. There is yellowish toning visible at the upper center, consistent with age and exposure. No evidence of restoration was observed under inspection. Overall, the painting is in stable condition and presents well.
Additional photos are updated before the sale via this link (asian.smugmug.com/Sale-6418). Please read the above or contact us to request a complete condition report.
品相細圖見鏈接 (asian.smugmug.com/Sale-6418)，品相報告見上文。圖錄中未說明品相的拍品並不等沒有磨損、瑕疵或其他問題，建議買家於拍前自行檢查。落槌無悔，請對您的競拍行為負責。如有其他問題，請郵件 [email protected]。
The physical condition of lots in our auctions can vary due to age, normal wear and tear, previous damage, and restoration/repair. All lots are sold "AS IS," in the condition they are in at the time of the auction, and we and the seller make no representation or warranty and assume no liability of any kind as to a lot's condition. Any reference to condition in a catalogue description or a condition report shall not amount to a full accounting of condition. Condition reports prepared by Freeman's staff are provided as a convenience and may be requested from the Department prior to bidding.
The absence of a posted condition report on the Freeman's website or in our catalogues should not be interpreted as commentary on an item's condition. Prospective buyers are responsible for inspecting a lot or sending their agent or conservator to inspect the lot on their behalf, and for ensuring that they have requested, received and understood any condition report provided by Freeman's.
Please email [email protected] for any additional information or questions you may have regarding this lot.
