The Qianlong double gourd jade seal. (Click on image to enlarge). UPDATE: IT SOLD FOR £3.4 MILLION.
A rare double gourd shaped seal from the Qianlong period (1736-1795) is one of the prime lots at Bonhams fine Chinese art sale in London on May 17. The Imperial spinach green jade double-gourd ‘San Xi Tang’ seal is estimated to sell for over £1 million.
Measuring just 8.7 centimeters long it has been authenticated by Guo Fuxiang of the Palace Museum in Beijing. San Xi Tang, (the Hall of the Three Rarities), is situated in the Forbidden City in the western side of the Yangxin Dian (Hall of Mental Cultivation). It was an important personal space for the Emperor Qianlong.
The seal is carved in an auspicious double-gourd form, associated with longevity as well as representing Heaven and Earth. The upper section is carved with three chi dragons (chilong), analogous to the hall name.
UPDATE: The seal made £3.4 million in a sale that realised over £11 million in total.
(See post on antiquesandartireland.com for February 24, 2012).