- 343
A MINIATURE GILT-BRONZE 'MYTHICAL BEAST' SEAL SIX DYNASTIES
Estimate
20,000 - 30,000 HKD
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Description
- gilt-bronze
- 1.8 cm, 5/8 in.
cast with a finial rendered as a winged mythical beast in a powerful striding stance, depicted ferocious with an upturned snout revealing its fangs, the seal face inscribed with Yang Fang siyin (personal seal of Yang Fang)
Exhibited
Gerard Tsang and Hugh Moss, Arts from the Scholar's Studio, Fung Ping Shan Museum, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, 1986, cat. no. 125.
Condition
The seal is in overall good condition. There are minute nicks to the fragile extremities, including the tips of the horns and whiskers. There is expected wear and flaking to the gilding and extensive areas of oxidation to the sides.
"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."
"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."
Catalogue Note
As explained by Gerard Tsang and Hugh Moss in their note on this seal in the aforementioned exhibition article: 'Early seals were frequently of small size as before the invention of paper, when they were used to stamp clay impressions, they were carried at the belt as symbols of power as well as serving as identification and authentication.'
The authors also state that 'This tiny seal [conveys a lot] of strength in the sculpture of its knob, particularly in relation to its tiny proportions. The winged beast, with its striding stance, upturned toes, snarling mouth and features of mouth, whiskers, eyebrows, is remarkably close to a monumental stone animal at the mausoleum of Emperor Wu of the Chen dynasty (reigned 560-567)', illustrated in Liuchao Yishu [The Art of the Six Dynasties], Beijing, 1981, pl. 14. On this basis it would be reasonable to assign this seal to the Six Dynasties era.
The authors also state that 'This tiny seal [conveys a lot] of strength in the sculpture of its knob, particularly in relation to its tiny proportions. The winged beast, with its striding stance, upturned toes, snarling mouth and features of mouth, whiskers, eyebrows, is remarkably close to a monumental stone animal at the mausoleum of Emperor Wu of the Chen dynasty (reigned 560-567)', illustrated in Liuchao Yishu [The Art of the Six Dynasties], Beijing, 1981, pl. 14. On this basis it would be reasonable to assign this seal to the Six Dynasties era.