$10,000
Estimate: $6,000 - $8,000
Auction: March 12, 2019 10:00:00 AM EDT
Of large square form, surmounted by intricately carved addorsed dragons, baring their curved fangs, with finely carved and incised scales, mane and horns, a carved aperture to the center of the form, the underside seal face carved in shallow relief with a square four-character seal, reading: "WEI YAO ZE ZHI", which may be translated as "One must stop in front of Yao". The stone of a dense dark sage-green hue with some scattered darker inclusions. NOTE: It has been suggested the present seal relates to an earlier seal of the Kangxi period, used when visiting the Yao temple, but appears to be 19th century in terms of carving and stone used. Both the Guangxu emperor and Empress Dowager Cixi were recorded as having visted the Yao temple, this seal may have been carved for one of them.
Approx. L: 3 3/8 in., 8.5cm; W: 3 3/8 in., 8.5cm; H:3 1/4 in., 8.3cmProvenance: By repute, acquired by a German family in Beijing, 1906
Thence by descent, sold Kunsthaus Lempertz, Cologne, Auction #892, June 9, 2006, Lot 266
Acquired from the above by the present owner