An Imperial Khotan-green jade 'Taishang Huangdi ZhiBao' Seal Qing Dynasty, Qianlong Period

THIS IS A PREMIUM LOT. CLIENTS WHO WISH TO BID ON PREMIUM LOTS ARE REQUESTED TO COMPLETE THE PREMIUM LOT PRE-REGISTRATION 3 WORKING DAYS PRIOR TO THE SALE.




of medium square form, surmounted by a finely carved pair of addorsed dragons, each powerfully carved with eyes bulging and nostrils flaring above curling whiskers and jaws bearing sharp fangs, the scales and flowing mane skifully incised, the two scaly bodies tightly intertwined and crouching on their haunches, pierced through the centre with an aperture, the square seal deeply and crisply carved with the characters Taishang huangdi zhibao ('Treasure of the Emperor Emertitus') left in the positive, the stone of a light moss-green tone with white inclusions and flecks of darker green

A private French Collection since the early 20th Century.

The overall condition is very good with only a couple of minor nicks to the vertical side corners.
"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 title Taishang huangdi was first recorded in the Shi Ji (Records of the Historian) by Sima Qian (ca. 145-91 B.C.). Taishang literally means 'the most supreme'. The word huang signifies one whose virtue is even more supreme than the emperor's (di). Therefore, Taishang huangdi refers to someone 'whose virtue is even more supreme than the emperor's'. After the Han Emperor Gaozu ascended the throne, he gave his father the title of Taishang huangdi to show his great respect. Ever since then, emperors who abdicated the throne to the crown prince were thus called Taishang huangdi. Throughout history, those who lived to become Emperor Emeritus, in most cases, came to accept the title unwillingly by force. Qianlong was the only Taishang huangdi who readily took this prestigious title and remained well-respected and influential up to his death. 

On the third day of the ninth month in the sixtieth year of Qianlong's reign (15th October 1795), the eighty-five year old emperor assembled his children, grandchildren, princes, nobles and high ministers and announced that he was abdicating from the throne and appointing his fifteenth son, Yongyan, the heir to the throne and bestowing him the title of the Jiaqing Emperor.  He issued an edict and declared that he would go to the Taihe Dian (Hall of Grand Harmony) and personally turn over the imperial seals. He also declared himself Taishang huangdi ('Emperor Emeritus') thus fulfilling his life-long dream of completing his sixty years as the Emperor and relinquishing power and crowning his successor himself. He became the Qing dynasty's only, and China's last, Taishang huangdi.

When he proclaimed that he was abdicating the throne to his son, he had already started to prepare himself for the life as the Emperor Emeritus. On the 28^th day of the ninth month of the sixtieth year of his reign (9th November 1796), Qianlong issued the following edict:

"After I have abdicated, I shall have the phrase taishang huangdi zhi bao carved onto my best jade seal. Then immediately after that, I shall have the imperial edict Shiquan Laoren zhi bao shuo engraved as a testament to the life of the Emperor Emeritus and the continuing prosperity of the dynasty while I am the Emperor Emeritus." (Guo chao gong shi xu bian" chapter Dianli yi).

Under Qianlong's instructions, the carvers working in the Palace made several tai shang huang di zhi bao seals, one of which is the present seal. The seal, carved from Khotan (Xinjiang province) green jade of supreme quality and even tone is surmounted by a pair of powerfully carved dragons, with finely incised scales, horns, mane and beards.  Despite the hardness of the jade, the inscription was boldly carved with carefully controlled strokes and composition, demonstrating the exquisite artistry and workmanship practiced in the Qing courts. Other tai shang huang di zhi bao green Khotan jade 'dragon' seals include the original one described in Qianlong's edict, the largest imperial jade seal of the Qing dynasty, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, and the one sold in these rooms, 26^th October, 2003, lot 29. A Taishang huangdi circular white jade seal with an incised imperial poem was sold in these rooms, 9^th October, 2007, lot 1301.