AN UNUSUAL BRONZE BUDDHIST PUZZLE SEAL SET QING DYNASTY, 19TH CENTURY

well-cast as a lion grasping a rotating ball in one paw, seated on a square plinth, surrounded by six small lion cubs, each resting on a section of the plinth that detaches in a certain order to form a puzzle, the bottom of the main plinth cast in relief as a seal with twenty characters from a verse attributed to Buddha, the bottoms of the plinths of each of the six cubs also cast with Buddhist terms and phrases (7)

There are small nicks around all the edges of the large and small seals. There is minor scattered pitting, small casting flaws, minor corrosion, as well as signs of use. The condition is good overall.
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.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The verse on the main seal is attributed in the Chinese Mahayana tradition to Shakyamuni Buddha, spoken to Buddha's main disciple Kasyapa, at the time Buddha handed leadership of the Sangha to him. The verse, sometimes referred to as a transmission verse, is intended to make one give pause to its meaning, forming a kind of puzzle in itself, and may be translated as:

The basic law is that there is no law
But not having any law is a law in itself
Since no law is transmitted
How can there be any law?

The law here refers to the Buddhist teachings, also referred to as the dharma.

The smaller seals read:
Daci dabei: great mercy and great compassion, a reference to the bodhisattva Guanyin
Wuxiang: without form
Puti: perfect wisdom
Wu yun jie kong: the five skandas (senses) are void
Da shizhi: Mahasthamaprapta, the name of the bodhisattva who represents the Buddha-wisdom of Amitabha
San jie kong wu wu: the three realms are void filled with nothingness