Nanhong agate seal ‘Clouds and Dragons’, Qing dynasty

Carved seal made of Nanhong agate, very dark brown in colour, almost black, with crimson red and orange intrusions. It has a square base, decorated with a complex relief of stylised dragons among sinuous cloud scrolls covering the entire surface. The matrix shows engraved characters and traces of red sealing wax, with the inscription “養心殿”. Qing dynasty (1644–1912).

Size: 5.0 x 13.0 x 13.0 cm

Weight: 1812.5 g