Shoushan seal, ‘Pair of beasts with a pearl’, Qing dynasty

A carved Shoushan stone in shades of ochre and honey, with a square base. It depicts a pair of dragons chasing a flaming pearl, their sinuous bodies emerging from a bed of clouds, with fierce expressions and open jaws. The front face bears an incised inscription. The impression base retains traces of cinnabar and features characters carved in seal script. Qing Dynasty (1644–1912). or later.  

Size: 6 x 7.2 x 6.6 cm

Weight: 567 g

Provenance: French private collection.