White jade seal “Beast,” Ming dynasty

Square seal, carved from smooth white jade. The handle is superbly sculpted in round relief and openwork, depicting a mythical beast with a sinuous body and sturdy legs, in a compact pose reclining on the upper platform. The carving takes advantage of the reddish-brown inclusions to highlight its volume and create a beautiful chromatic contrast. The matrix of the seal reveals an incised carving of three characters: “建安君”. Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

The piece is accompanied by a gemological certificate issued by Hong Kong Kowloon Jade & Jewellery Laboratory LTD in 2025. SC241751.

Size: 4.1 x 3.4 x 3.5 cm

Weight: 103 g

Provenance:

· Collection of Tommy Lam, Hong Kong, since 1980