AN IMPORTANT IMPERIAL QUARTZ 'HORSE' SEAL QING DYNASTY, SEAL OF PRINCE GONG

of square form, surmounted by a horse modeled standing foursquare with its head turned to the left, the details finely incised, the seal face carved in zhuwen style, with a rectangular cartouche enclosing four characters reading Pinghan xuanqin (wise and diligent official of great importance), below two further characters yuci (imperial bestowment), all flanked by a pair of archaistic dragons, the semi-translucent stone of a even tone with natural icy-white inclusions
Height 5 1/4 in., 13.5 cm

Provenance:
Collection of Aisin Gioro Yixin (1833-1898), Prince Gong.
Collection of Aisin Gioro Puwei (1880-1936), Prince Gong.
Yamanaka & Co., New York.
American Art Galleries, New York, 27th February 1913, lot 15.
American Private Collection.