Lot 207
CHINESE SHOUSHAN SOAPSTONE 'JELLYSTONE' SEAL
19TH CENTURY
Auction: 12 June 2013 at 11:00 BST
Description
carved with a lion carrying a creature on its back, the seal reading 'I lead my life amidst books, just like a fish inside a sack', 8.2cm high; together with a CHINESE SHOUSHAN SOAPSTONE SEAL FOR XU NAILIN (1865-1940), depicting three carp, the seal reading 'Master Xu of the Resting Garden', 6.4cm high (2)
Footnote
Provenance:
Previously in the collection of Benedict Fontana, Vice-Consul of Switzerland in Hong Kong 1966-1972
Note:
Xu Nailin was a late Qing - Republic official and poet. An active Chinese patriot; prefect of Heilongjiang; adviser to the President; Governor of Jilin; Member of the House of Representatives. When he retired he became known as a calligrapher and poet, and was very active in restoring Chinese traditions. This 1938 seal by an unknown carver was almost certainly a ceremonial gift. It has 3 carp and a very interesting side inscription with etymology for the word Qi ("Rest," "Resting")