Page 68 - Sothebys HK Dragon Emperor April 2024

THE LEGACY OF THE DRAGON EMPEROR

Impressive in size, this white jade imperial seal is among is pleasing to the sight, and the smooth texture is inviting
the largest examples ever made in the mighty Qing to the touch. Stones of even tones with little impurities
dynasty. Carved from a virtually spotless stone of a creamy were scarce until the empire gained access to the jade-rich
white tone, it belonged to the Qianlong Emperor who was territories in Khotan and Yarkand in the mid-18th century,
recognised for his military prowess, but also as one of the some two decades after the present seal was selected
most important imperial patrons of the arts in Chinese and reworked for the Emperor’s personal use. There is yet
history. The inscription of the present seal, Qianlong yubi another rare example of comparable stone quality from the
(‘in the imperial hand of Qianlong’), suggests that it was the Chongde period (1636-1643) of Huang Taiji. This jade seal,
Emperor’s emblem, used to sign his own calligraphy and carved with a crouching mythical beast, the white stone
works of art. of a similar warm tone with a soft finish, is preserved in
It would have been stamped on massive calligraphic tablets, the Palace Museum, Beijing (fig. 5). In 1748, the Qianlong
or bian’e in Chinese, centrepieces usually suspended high Emperor ordered its seal face to be re-carved with Han
above thrones in palace chambers. Often boldly written with Chinese characters alongside with the Manchu text to abide
the hall name or a motto fit for a ruler, these tablets are by the new bilingual standard. It is designated to be the first
unmistakable statements of power and authority, and so is of the twenty-five cardinal seals of the Qing Empire (see the
the present seal. related imperial seal catalogue from the collection of Dr Wou
Kiuan, sold in these rooms, 29th April 2022, lot 3802).
Besides its large size, this seal stands out for its pedigree. It
was most likely carved at the beginning of the Qing empire, Ethnically Manchu, the Qianlong Emperor deliberately
during the rule of Huang Taiji (1592-1643), the great-great- adopted Han Chinese practices to legitimise his rule
grandfather of the Qianlong Emperor. The knop has an over the Han majority. He was a prolific poet and fervent
uncanny resemblance to two Manchu script gold seals calligrapher, leaving behind a vast body of works, signed
from the early Qing dynasty in the Palace Museum, Beijing, with seal impressions emphasising the Emperor’s authorship
displaying the vigour and energy of the mythical beasts and scholarly achievements. For the Qianlong Emperor,
typical of this period (figs 3-4). By repurposing this jade seal who yearned to be remembered for his artistic and cultural
passed down from his ancestor as his personal emblem, accomplishments, this seal transcended its aesthetic and
the Qianlong Emperor honoured his Manchu lineage and utilitarian value; it was the perfect embodiment of his legacy.
highlighted his respect for the Han Chinese literati tradition.
The Qianlong Emperor must have marvelled at the
unparalleled quality of the present seal. The creamy tone

fig. 3. A gold seal, Fengtian zhi bao (seal of receiving Heaven’s mandate), fig. 4. A gold seal, Tianzi zhi bao (‘Seal of the Son of Heaven’), Qing
Qing dynasty, Chongde period of Huang Taiji, Qing court collection © dynasty, Chongde period of Huang Taiji, possibly made within the first 8
Palace Museum, Beijing years of the period, Qing court collection © Palace Museum, Beijing
圖三 清崇德 金雙龍鈕滿文「奉天之寶」印 清宮舊藏 © 北京故宮 圖四 清崇德 應製於首八年 金交龍鈕滿文「天子之寶」印 清宮舊藏
博物院 © 北京故宮博物院