A FINE ‘CHICKEN BLOOD’ SOAPSTONE SEAL WITH SQUIRRELS AND GOURDS, LATE QING DYNASTY TO REPUBLIC PERIOD

拍品描述

A FINE ‘CHICKEN BLOOD’ SOAPSTONE SEAL WITH SQUIRRELS AND GOURDS, LATE QING DYNASTY TO REPUBLIC PERIOD China, late 19th to early 20th century. The seal of square cross-section, carved and pierced to the top with two squirrels clambering atop gourds, the lapidary cleverly utilizing the natural shades of the stone to highlight the carving. The seal face inscribed. The opaque stone is banded with red and beige tones, interspersed with red mottling, and transitioning to a honey-yellow hue toward the top. Dimensions: Height 5.9 cm Named for its striking coloration, chicken blood soapstone (Chin.: jixue shi) derives its vivid red hue from the presence of cinnabar within a soft, often gray or yellowish matrix of soapstone. Prized since the Qing dynasty, the stone was highly valued for seal carving and scholar’s objects Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Sotheby’s London, 11 May 2016, lot 269 Price: GBP 15,000 or approx. EUR 26,500 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the related color of the stone and figural carving. Auction result comparison: Type: Related Auction: Christie’s Amsterdam, 20 June 2012, lot 244 Price: EUR 3,250 or approx. EUR 4,600 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing Expert remark: Compare the related color of the stone and figural carving. Note the size (14.5 cm).

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