A TIANHUANG 'BUDDHIST LION' SEAL QING DYNASTY

of square section, surmounted by a well-carved seated lion with its head turned back towards its cub playfully escalading its back, the seal face inscribed with a seven-character poem in seal script Zuo kan feiyun zi juan shu ('Looking upon the flying clouds when seated, the scroll naturally unrolls itself'), the stone a warm amber-honey colour with lighter mottling polished to a glossy finish

The overall condition is very good, except for some expected surface scratches and minute nicks to the seal face. The catalogue illustration is a tinge brighter than the actual object.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

The exceptional colouration and luminosity of this tianhuang stone is skilfully accentuated through its intricately carved details which reveal the layers of subtle golden hues. The combination of modelling in the round and low-relief detailing effectively capture the light as it shines on and passes through the seal to further intensify the richness of colour. Tianhuang is a type of soapstone that is highly valued for its warm yellow tones and lustrous sheen and was considered the rival to the finest and purest jade. Apart from being graded by its colour, tianhuang was also priced according to its weight rather than size, hence making it one of the most expensive materials to carve.

The treatment of the lions, with their finely formed faces and muscular bodies, testify to the consummate skills of the carvers at the time, who were possibly located in the Shoushan area in Fujian province, where the precious tianhuang was mined. Both in material and subject, this seal is imbued with auspicious meaning. The character shou from Shoushan means 'longevity' and fu from Fujian means 'fortune'; hence tianhuang embodies the wish for good fortune and longevity. Furthermore the large lion (dashi) and the cub (xiaoshi) represent the wish for one’s descendants to achieve high rank (taishi shaoshi), and the two lions are puns for these high ranks in ancient China.

A related carving depicting a lion with its cub, the seal face with the inscription Mo dan bi shu ('the ink is light, the strokes are distant and scattered'), was sold in these rooms, 9th October 2007, lot 1513; and another seal, signed Yuxuan, was offered in these rooms, 1st November 1999, lot 498.