MID-LATE 19TH CENTURY CHINESE ANTIQUE HAND CARVED SOAPSTONE INK SEAL, with TWO
FIGHTING, WRITHING DRAGON FIGURES at TOP, with INCISED SGRAFFITO HAND DRAWING
FEATURING CHINESE FIGURES, MOUNTAINS & SEASCAPE with SAILBOAT, CALLIGRAPHY &
LOTUS FLOWER BORDER TRIM(Circa 1850-1875)Mid to late 19th century Chinese
antique soapstone carvings & ink seal/stamp carved stone blocks DIMENSIONS:
6" Height x 2" WidthWeight: 1 lb. 11 oz.
DESCRIPTION:In remarkably well-preserved condition and with only a few tiny
nearly unnoticeable) nicks on the very bottom edge of the inked base plate.
The soapstone is beige or a milky cream in color and has embedded burnt umber
and burnt sienna episodes occurring in the lower recesses of the wonderfully
carved soapstone figures of the two fighting, writhing dragons, seemingly
locked together in mortal combat, ferociously gnashing and biting each other's
heads and bodies with their formidable and menacing large, sharp teeth. A
fireball, or at least an abstract representation of a fireball, seems to be
suspended in mid-air, no doubt a reference to the dragon's ability to 'breath
fire' out of their mouths, yet another weapon employed in the attempt to
mercilessly vanquish the other. The tubular form features incised, sgraffito
hand drawing of aChinese robed male figure (possibly a monk) mountains, the sea
and a sailing vessel. There's no detail loss anywhere on the hand carved
figuration. Extraordinarily beautiful and a very accomplishedmid-late 19th
centuryChinese antique hand carved and sgraffito decorated soapstone seal.
Absolutely gorgeous. CONDITION:Very Good to Excellent overall antique condition.