Six-sided carved jade seal ‘Mao Xiang’, Dai Benxiao

Carved jade seal attributed to Dai Benxiao (1621–1691), made of translucent white jade. Its shape consists of a central prism with a transverse hole through it, topped by a circular knob, which allows it to hold a total of eight separate stamps distributed across its different planes.

Engraved using an incised carving technique that preserves traces of red cinnabar pigment. The inscriptions identify the piece as a personal seal belonging to Mao Xiang (1611-1693), one of the famous ‘Four Lords’ of the late Ming dynasty. The eight stamps indicate: 真赏 (Leisure Seal); 辟疆氏 (Courtesy Seal); 冒襄 (Name Seal); 小三吾鉴藏 (Collector's Seal); 冒襄辟疆私印 (Name Seal); 巢民 (Pseudonym Seal); 忍辱忘怨 (Leisure Seal); 凤栖铎 (Graphic/Portrait Seal).

The work shows a natural patina consistent with its age and represents the zenith of scholarly taste during the Ming-Qing transition.

Size: 4.6 x 2.3 x 2.3 cm

Weight: 48.4 g