Page 15 - Sotheby's Arts of Asia Paris, June 16, 2022

The present seal was originally part of a set of three seals. this I recorded among important events that I made clear in
Its impression is recorded in the catalogue of imperial seals edicts promulgated all over the empire and abroad. Now I
of the Qianlong emperor, Qianlong baosu, where it is also respectfully welcome the great change, fortunately fulfilling
mentioned that it was carved from a green jade and part of a my original heart’s desires. It has been sixty years of my
set of three seals in a box. Its companion seals are: Taishang reign and my initial wish is fulfilled. The beginning of this
Huangdi (Treasure of Emperor Emeritus) and Guizheng year, I was bestowed the seal and name of Taishang Huang
nai xunzheng (Retired but still giving advice). The seal is (Emperor Emeritus). I am blessed to be an all-rounded man
a Yinshou zhang; it was used to make impressions at the through out the ages. I was bestowed the seal on the first
right top corner of a painting or piece of calligraphy. day of Jiaqing reign [9 February 1796] and my initial wish
was fulfilled. It has been three years. The tremendous
As Guo Fuxian explains in his research essay on another ‘ De
sui chu xin ‘ seal, sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 8th October feeling of having his original wish fulfilled remained with
2008, lot 2004, from the Estate of Emile Guimet, The Desui Emperor Qianlong when he was Taishang Huang. The Desui
chuxin (‘Able to Follow My Original Intention’) seal was a chuxin seal has accurately and aptly expressed such a
very important seal during the time of Emperor Qianlong’s sentiment.
retirement, since it means that that he now has fulfilled his While the De sui chu xin seal from the Qianlong reign sold
heart’s desire, which he had had from the very beginning of in our Hong Kong rooms, 8th October 2008, its companion
his life. It revealed his enormous satisfaction that family and Taishang Huangdi seal, sold in these rooms, 18th December
national matters were progressing just as he had planned 2008, lot 6. Both were coming from the Estate of Emile
from the very beginning. To him, chuxin original intention Guimet. Compare as well the carving of this seal with two
means that as early as he succeeded as Emperor, this other seals from the Qianlong reign, similarly worked from a
was his intention—and all this had been fulfilled. Emperor Khotan green jade with a crouching dragon about to pounce,
Qianlong had mentioned many times in his later years that sold in our Hong Kong rooms, 8th October 2008, lot 2005,
When I first became emperor, I burned incense and reported also from the Estate of Emile Guimet.
to the azure Heaven that if I were allowed to reign for a full Another Taishang Huangdi seal, from the collection of the
sixty-year cycle, I would then abdicate to my heir, for I dare Major General Gercey (1872-1939), sold in our Hong Kong
not reign more years than my ancestor [the Kangxi emperor], rooms, 9th October 2007.

Impression from Qianlong Baosu
《乾隆寶藪》內印文

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