A TIANHUANG 'IMMORTALS' SEAL QING DYNASTY

of rectangular section, the shaft thinning irregularly towards the top, finely carved in low relief with three Daoist Immortals at rest with censers issuing wispy vapour, in a rocky landscape continuing around the sides, with a swooping crane in flight amid pine trees, the seal with thirty-six versions of the shou character, the stone of yellowish-brown colour with amber and black mottling skilfully used to highlight the design

Sotheby's Hong Kong, 2nd November 1998, lot 487.

The seal is in overall good condition with minute nicks to the edges of the seal face and the side edge of the seal. The actual colour of the stone is similar to the catalogue illustration.
"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."

Fashioned from a rich yellow soapstone pebble, the carver of this piece has skilfully retained the original form of the stone and incorporated its natural darker inclusion into the design. A soapstone seal similarly carved with figures in landscape, in the Palace Museum, Beijing, is found on the Museum’s website www.dpm.org.cn/shtml/117/@/7819; and another was sold in these rooms, 28th April 1992, lot 279.