A BRONZE MANCHU OFFICIAL'S SEAL, GUANFANG, DATED 1796 BY INSCRIPTION, JIAQING MARK AND PERIOD, THE SEAL FACE INSCRIBED IN MANCHU AND CHINESE China, 11th month of Bingchen Year (corresponding to 1796). The seal is of rectangular form with a tapering columnar handle. The top and base of the seal are inscribed in Manchu and Chinese while the two sides are inscribed in Chinese only, numbering and dating the seal. Inscriptions: To the top and the seal face, in Chinese and Manchu: 'Royal Guard of the Imperial Household Department'. To one long side: 'No. 1735 of the Jia series'. To the other long side: 'The 11th month of the 1st year of Jiaqing'. Provenance: From a private estate in Southern England. Condition: Very good condition with extensive old wear, occasional light scratches, few minuscule nicks and dents. Fine natural patina with microscopic areas of malachite encrustations throughout. Weight: 1,367 g Dimensions: Size 11.1 x 9.7 x 6.3 cm The Imperial Household Department (Neiwufu) was an institution of the Qing dynasty of China. Its primary purpose was to manage the internal affairs of the Qing imperial family and the activities of the inner palace (in which tasks it largely replaced the eunuchs), but it also played an important role in Qing relations with Tibet and Mongolia, engaged in trading activities (jade, ginseng, salt, furs, etc.), managed textile factories in the Jiangnan region, and even published books. The department was also in charge of the ceremonial and spiritual activities of the Qing imperial household. These activities include the maintenance of the mausoleums of Qing emperors, polytheist worships and posthumous affairs of the royal family (for example the giving of temple names and posthumous names). Auction result comparison: Compare a related bronze Manchu official's seal, dated to the 14th year of the Qianlong reign (1749), at Sotheby's Hong Kong in An Important Private Collection of Qing Historical Works of Art on 7 October 2010, lot 2108, sold for HKD 740,000, and another, related bronze Manchu official's seal, dated to the 14th year of the Qianlong reign (1749), was sold in these rooms in Fine Chinese Works of Art on 30 September 2017, lot 59, sold for EUR 10,744. 嘉慶内務府三旗護軍營參領關防 中國，嘉慶元年十一月（1796)。長方形關防，長柄。頂部和底部分別使用滿語與中文，兩側面編號與時間都使用中文。 款識：頂部和底部使用中文與滿語“内務府三旗護軍營參領關防禮部造”。兩側分別可見“嘉字一千七百三十五號“與”嘉慶元年十一月“。 來源：英國南部私人收藏。 品相：狀況極好，大面積舊時磨損，局部有輕微劃痕，少量刻痕和凹痕。天然包漿，有孔雀石綠色結殼。 重量：1,367 克 尺寸：11.1 x 9.7 x 6.3 厘米 拍賣結果比較：一件相近滿族將官銅印，乾隆十四年 (1749), 於香港蘇富比An Important Private Collection of Qing Historical Works of Art 2010年10月7日 lot 2108, 售價HKD 740,000；另一件乾隆十四年 (1749)將官印曾於本藝廊Fine Chinese Works of Art 2017年9月30日 lot 59, 售價EUR 10,744。