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A TIANHUANG ‘DRAGON’ SEAL, QIANLONG PERIOD, DATED 1773
奥地利
2024年10月18日 开拍
拍品描述
A TIANHUANG ‘DRAGON’ SEAL, QIANLONG PERIOD, DATED 1773

Expert’s note: The quality of the carving, the magnificent color of the stone, the meticulous attention to detail, the extensive wear, and the overall remarkably consistent traces of use strongly support a late 18th-century dating. However, a slightly later date, possibly up to the mid-19th century, cannot be entirely excluded.

China. Finely carved, the rectangular seal is surmounted by a fierce, horned dragon, its body intricately detailed with scales, wings, and a bifurcated tail. The dragon, spewing water from its mouth, not only dominates the composition with its commanding presence but also cleverly serves as the seal’s handle, merging functionality with artistic mastery. This seamless integration exemplifies the literati mode, where power must always serve wisdom.

The inscriptions on the side of the seal are neatly incised. The translucent stone is of a deep honey-yellow tone. The seal shows a fine polish, rendering an unctuous feel overall.

Inscriptions: To the sealface, ‘People of the Peach Blossom Land’, repeated on one side of the seal, the opposing side dated ‘in the 38th year of the Qianlong era’ (corresponding to 1773), and inscribed ‘Pan […]’.

Provenance
: French trade. Acquired from a deceased estate in Lyon.
Condition: Good condition with extensive old wear, rubbing, shallow surface scratches, small nicks here and there, the stone with natural inclusions. Remnants of red seal paste to the seal’s face.

Weight: 102.4 g
Dimensions: Height 5.8 cm

The exceptional coloration and luminosity of this tianhuang stone are skillfully accentuated through its intricately carved details which reveal the layers of subtle golden hues. The combination of carving and low-relief detailing effectively capture the light as it shines on and passes through the seal to further intensify the richness of color.

Tianhuang is a type of soapstone
that is highly valued for its warm yellow tones and lustrous sheen and was considered the rival to the finest and purest jade. Apart from being graded by its color, tianhuang was also priced according to its weight rather than size, hence making it one of the most expensive materials to carve.

Auction result comparison:
Type: Closely related
Auction: Christie’s New York, 26 March 2010, lot 1147
Price: USD 92,500 or approx. EUR 121,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A small tianhuang oval seal, Qianlong period
Expert remark: Compare the related subject, manner of carving, and stone. Note the size (3.3 cm) and lack of dating inscription.

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价格信息

拍品估价:500 - 1,000 欧元 起拍价格:500 欧元  买家佣金:

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