California Asian Art Auction California Asian Art Auction
 July 8, 2018  July 8, 2018

 Lot # 5467 
A LARGE IMPERIAL SANDALWOOD 'MYTHICAL BEAST' SEAL    清中期 ‘嘉慶御覽之寶’ 檀香木獸鈕璽


  • Dimension: Height: 4 1/8 in (10.5 cm) Length: 4 1/8 in (10.5 cm) Width: 4 1/8 in (10.5 cm)
  • Estimate From: $8000
  • Estimate To: $12000

Of square section, the seal is surmounted with a recumbent mythical beast resting on four-feet, its head shown with bulging eyes, upturned snout, furled ears. The side with a hole through the center for the tassel, the seal face carved with six character reading 'Jiaqing Yubi Zhi Bao', or 'The Treasure of Imperial Writing of Jiaqing Emperor'. Qing Dynasty Jiaqing period.


檀香,佛家謂之“旃檀”,素有“香料之王”之稱。香味溫潤、醇和,可謂極品。是一種既珍惜又昂貴的木材。此方嘉慶寶璽體量巨大,引面呈方形,印面刻“嘉慶禦筆之寶”六字陽文,刻工精湛,佈局嚴整,字體略大,大氣惶惶。神獸挺胸,鬢髮飛揚,軀幹遒勁,蓄勢待發,動感十足,威猛張揚。以木為材雕制璽印頗為少見,而檀香木作為上等香料,至光緒年間已十分稀缺,故而更是名貴至極。