cachet impérial en Tianhuang Chine, dynastie Qing, époque Qianlong (1736-1795)

la base cubique surmontée d'une arche sculptée d'un dragon archaïque qilong prostré les muscles tendus prêt à bondir, la pierre de tianhuang de couleur caractéristique orangée, la surface d'impression scultée en zhuanshu des caractères "Qianlong chenhan", travail artistique et littéraire de la main de l'empereur

Collection Peron.
Hotel Drouot, 28 avril 2006, lot 180.

Qianlong baoshou.
Catalog of Imperial Seals of the Qing Dynasty, qingdai dihou xiyin pu, The Palace Museum Beijing ed. vol. 6, Qianlong, part 2, p. 97.

A small shallow chip 5 x 2mm at the rear right corner, a minute flake in front of the dragon's right paw, a few tiny dents along the edges and to the upper corners but overall the seal in good condition. The illustration in the catalogue is too dark. The colour of the stone is paler, slightly less brown and more orange.
"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 present seal reads 'Qianlong chenhan' which can be translated as 'Emperor Qianlong's Literary and Artistic Work'. Many important paintings and calligraphy bear the vermillion marks of the collection seals of the Qianlong Emperor, including the present finely carved tianhuang seal. The 'Qianlong chenhan' seal mark can be found on works, such as the painting by Qianlong titled 'Lion Grove', illustrated and discussed in Guo Fuxiang, 'Qianlong's Lion Grove Seal', The Imperial Sale, Christie's, Hong Kong, 2007, pp. 132-135. See also the hanging scroll titled Gaotu Jingshe tu (Painting of Gaotu Village) by Li Shizhuo, painted in 1747 A.D. on the order of the emperor, with the 'Qianlong chenhan' seal mark, included in the exhibition The Life of Emperor Qianlong, the Macao Museum of Art, Macao, 2002, cat. no. 109, together with another 'Qianlong chenhan' seal made of Changhua stone and carved with mandarin ducks and lotus, cat. no. 40, from the Palace Museum, Beijing. 

Compare a third 'Qianlong chenhan' seal made in rock crystal with the handle carved in the form of a crouching lion, illustrated in Adriana Proser, 'The Carved Rock Crystals of Emperor Qianlong', Magazine Antiques, March 2000, pl. XI. The author notes that the seal's pristine condition indicates that the seal may not have been used often but its importance lies in the exceptionally skilled carving, the unflawed quality of the stone, and the elegant calligraphy of its inscription.