[Map of Xiangcheng County. China, after 1904.]

Important manuscript map of the salt transportation route in Xiangcheng County, Henan Province. The map is oriented with north to the top. The large area colored in pink demonstrates the scope of Xiangcheng County within which a dotted line is drawn across the county from its northernmost point Shuizhai Ji, passing through Dadong Zhai belonged to the neighboring county Runan, and reaching Qinpo Lou at the southeast of Xiangcheng County. This route was the official one stipulated by both the central and local governments for salt transportation led by Changlu merchants, who were the second largest group of salt merchants in Qing China (see Lianghuai Yanfa Zhi (History of the Law of Salt of the River Huai Fields) published in 1905). This book documents a dispute related to the route which happened in 1904; the settlement of the dispute reconfirmed details which correspond perfectly with the route drawn out in the present lot. As written on the three pink labels pasted along the route, the dotted-line represents the officially set route for Changlu merchants to transport the salt. The smaller pink region depicted to the lower left of the larger one was an enclave with disputed borders and ownership, as three different county borders converge here. This resulted in uncertainty regarding which salt merchants had the exclusive rights to conduct business in the region. To solve this problem, the local governments carried out a census in 1904 in the enclave and based on the result, the enclave was put under the administration of Xiangcheng County due to the domination of Xiangcheng residents living in the region. Thus, the present lot depicts the region of the county after 1904. The present lot not only records the topographic features and administrative divisions of the area around Xiangcheng County, but also an anecdotal story related to the setup of the salt transportation route in the county. References: Anding Wang and Guoquan Zeng, Lianghuai Yanfa Zhi (History of the Law of Salt of the River Huai Fields), 1905, vol. 44.

Manuscript map of Xiangcheng County, Henan Province, ink and color on paper, backed with two layers of paper, approximately 490 x 350 mm on 550 x 400 mm backing sheet. Title strip at the lower right section, three pink pasted labels indicating routes of salt transportation and the location of a salt shop; waterways outlined in ink and colored in pale green. Very good condition (some pale spots, small marginal loss at lower right corner, closed tear to backing sheet).
Please note that this lot is subject to an import tariff. If the buyer instructs Christie’s to arrange shipping of the lot to a foreign address, the buyer will not be required to pay the import tariff. If the buyer instructs Christie’s to arrange shipping of the lot to a domestic address, if the buyer collects the property in person, or if the buyer arranges their own shipping (whether domestically or internationally), the buyer will be required to pay the import tariff. Please contact Post Sale Services on +1 212 636 2650 prior to bidding for more information.

Please note that this lot is subject to an import tariff. The amount of the import tariff due is a percentage of the final hammer price plus buyer's premium. The buyer should contact Post Sale Services prior to the sale to determine the estimated amount of the import tariff. If the buyer instructs Christie's to arrange shipping of the lot to a foreign address the buyer will not be required to pay the import tariff, but the shipment may be delayed while awaiting approval to export from the local government. If the buyer instructs Christie's to arrange shipping of the lot to a domestic address, if the buyer collects the property in person, or if the buyer arranges their own shipping (whether domestically or internationally), the buyer will be required to pay the import tariff. For the purpose of calculating sales tax, if applicable, the import tariff will be added to the final hammer price plus buyer's premium and sales tax will be collected as per The Buyer's Premium and Taxes section of the Conditions of Sale.