XU ZONGHAO (1880-1957), DAI YUANJUN (1912-1982), QU ZHAOLIN (LATE 19TH CENTURY) AND OTHERS
Folding Fans Collection
(1) XU ZONGHAO
Chrysanthemum / Calligraphy
Folding fan, ink and colour / ink on paper
19 x 43.5 cm. (7 ¹⁄₂ x 17 ¹⁄₈ in.)
Both sides inscribed and signed, with a total of two seals of the artist

(2) DAI YUANJUN / ZHANG QIHOU (1873-1944)
Peony / Calligraphy
Folding fan, ink and colour / ink on gold-flecked paper
20 x 47.5 cm. (7 ⁷⁄₈ x 18 ³⁄₄ in.)
Peony inscribed and signed by Dai Yuanjun, with one seal
Dated autumn, guiwei year (1943)
Calligraphy inscribed and signed by Zhang Qihou, with two seals
Dated Mid-Autumn Festival, guiwei year (1943)
Both sides dedicated to songchang

Fan ribs carved by Yu Boyu (CIRA 1868-AFTER 1937).

NOTE:
Yu Boyu, active in the late Qing and Republican periods, was a leading master of bamboo‑carving. Courtesy name Foyuan, he was also known as the ‘Old Dragon of Jiangdong’ and ‘Master of the Carving‑Dragon Studio’. Renowned for his shallow relief carving in yangwen, he was particularly adept at depicting figures, landscapes and bird‑and‑flower motifs on the narrow ribs of bamboo fans.

(3) QU ZHAOLIN / BAO XI (1868-1942)
Longevity / Calligraphy
Folding fan, ink and colour / ink on paper
19 x 42 cm. (7 ¹⁄₂ x 16 ¹⁄₂ in.)
Longevity inscribed and signed by Qu Zhaolin, with two seals
Dated autumn, jisi year (1929)
One collector’s seal
Calligraphy inscribed and signed by Bao Xi, with one seal
Both sides dedicated to yunge

NOTE:
Baoxi of the Aisin‑Gioro clan, courtesy name Zhongming and known by various studio names including Ruichen, Shen’an, Shen’an (alternate forms) and Wanshan Jushi, with his studio called Duxing’an. He obtained the jinshi degree during the Guangxu reign and subsequently served as Compiler in the Hanlin Academy, Education Commissioner of Shanxi, and Academician of the Grand Secretariat. After the 1911 Revolution, he held posts as Political Adviser to the Office of the Provisional President and Member of the Political Council, and in 1923 was appointed Minister of the Imperial Household by the abdicated emperor Puyi.

(4) LIU BIN (1887-1945) / ZHANG YUANJI (1867-1959)
Dog / Calligraphy
Folding fan, ink and colour on paper / ink on gold-flecked paper
18 x 46 cm. (7 ¹⁄₈ x 18 ¹⁄₈ in.)
Dog inscribed and signed by Liu Bin, with one seal
Dated winter, guiwei year (1943)
Calligraphy inscribed and signed by Zhang Yuanji, with two seals
Both sides dedicated to Limin

Singaporean collector Mr. Tan Sin Liou (1922-1992) had familial ties to Fujian, China. His grandfather immigrated to Singapore, where he operated a palm tree business, later also became the owner of the Supreme House in the city’s commercial district. Apart from his entrepreneurial pursuits, Mr. Tan held a keen interest in traditional Chinese culture, as evidenced by his collection of Chinese calligraphy, paintings, and folding fans. Since the 1960s, numerous painters such as Zhao Shao’ang, Yang Shanshen, Guan Shanyue, Li Xiongcai, and Rong Shushi showcased their works in Singapore due to its proximity to China.