Polychrome jade seal ‘Mythical beast’, Han dynasty

Quadrangular seal carved from white-celadon jade. The handle is sculpted as a powerful beast in a dynamic pose, with its head turned and jaws open. The surface displays profuse and intricate polychrome decoration. The beast is decorated with fine lines of silver, gold and red paint that form archaic scrolls across its body. The four sides of the plinth feature a pattern of scrolls and beasts in fine relief on a red background. The seal matrix reveals a relief carving of six characters ‘梁王刘泰之印’. It shows areas of patina due to ageing. Han Dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD). or later.

Size: 8 x 7.6 x 7.6 cm

Weight: 745 g

Provenance:

· Collection of Tommy Lam, Hong Kong, since 1980