AN AQUAMARINE ‘BUDDHIST LION’ SEAL, QING DYNASTY China, 1644-1912. Of oval form, surmounted by a finely carved recumbent Buddhist lion with its head turned backwards, the beast well-detailed with bulging eyes, curved brows, sharp teeth, and long tail stretching over the back.

Provenance: UK trade, by repute acquired from an English private collection.
Condition: Very good condition with minor wear, the stone with natural fissures, some of which may have developed into small hairline cracks over time, few minuscule nicks to exposed areas.

Weight: 46 g
Dimensions: Height 3.1 cm, Width 3.4 cm

The use of aquamarine for works of art greatly increased after 1759, when the area where it was mined in Xinjiang was conquered by the Chinese. As the material was popular at the Qing Court during the second half of the 18th century and into the early 19th century, large quantities of the stone were sent as tributes to the Court, with the best stones reserved for imperial use.

Expert’s note: The stone used for the present seal is of exceptional quality. It is translucent and has a deep, intense aquamarine tone, which in combination is rare to find. This distinct yet noble color was coveted by members of the Imperial court.

Auction result comparison: Compare a closely related aquamarine seal, 5 cm high, also dated to the Qing dynasty, at Christie’s Hong Kong in The Pavilion Sale on 4 April 2017, lot 20, sold for HKD 187,500.

清代海藍寶石雕太獅鈕印
中國，1644-1912年。橢圓形，太獅鈕，頭朝後，雙目圓瞪，炯炯有神，彎眉，獠牙，長尾垂於後背。

來源：英國古玩市場，據説來自英國私人收藏。
品相：狀況極好，輕微磨損，天然裂縫的石頭，隨著時間的推移，其中一些可能會發展成細小的裂縫，少量細微刻痕。

重量：46克
尺寸：高3.1厘米，寬3.4厘米

拍賣結果比較：比較海藍寶石印，高5 厘米，同樣為清代，見香港佳士得The Pavilion Sale 2017年4月 4日 lot 20, 售價HKD 187,500。