AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE IMPERIAL TANXIANGMU SEAL LATE QING DYNASTY

of square section, surmounted by a pair of addorsed dragons among clouds, each powerful creature boldly carved with bulging eyes and flaring nostrils above long whiskers, the mouth open to reveal sharp fangs, two horns extending back over its head along a combed mane with incised details, the two scaly bodies tightly intertwined and crouching, pierced through the center with an aperture threaded with a yellow silk cord terminating in knotted tassels, the seal face deeply carved in baiwen style with four characters reading xieci yuanchun (in celebration of the New Year)
Height 5 3/8 in., 13.8 cm; Width 7 3/8 in., 18.7 cm; Depth 7 3/8 in., 18.7 cm

Provenance:
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