A 'XIANG YUAN YI QING' SOAPSTONE SEAL WITH TWO BUDDHIST LIONS, QING DYNASTY China, 1731-1891. Of square form, the seal surmounted by a well-carved Buddhist lion with its head turned towards its cub standing on the back, their faces detailed with bulging eyes, open mouth, flaring nostrils, and furcated tails, the seal further incised with a poetic inscription to one side. Note the variegated cinnabar-red and brownish-beige natural color shadings of the stone and how cleverly these were integrated into the depiction.

Inscriptions: The seal face, 'Xiang yuan yi qing' (a poem about fragrance), the side inscribed with a poem comparing the character of a flower to that of a person, signed 'Mo […] zhi', and dated 'February in the Year of Xinmao (corresponding to 1731, 1771, 1831, or 1891)'.

Provenance: British trade.
Condition: Good condition with minor wear, few nicks here and there, small losses.

The depiction of a larger and a smaller Buddhist lion, 'dashi xiaoshi', forms the pun 'taishi shaoshi', which literally translates to 'may you and your descendant achieve high rank'.

Weight: 142.5 g
Dimensions: Height 6.7 cm

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Sotheby's Hong Kong, 4 October 2016, lot 26
Price: HKD 250,000 or approx. EUR 35,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A soapstone 'Buddhist lion and cubs' seal, Qing dynasty, Kangxi period
Expert remark: Note the similar size (7 cm)

Auction result comparison:
Type: Related
Auction: Christie's New York, 19 March 2008, lot 331 A
Price: USD 22,500 or approx. EUR 30,000 converted and adjusted for inflation at the time of writing
Description: A soapstone seal with Buddhistic lions, 18th/19th century
Expert remark: Note the larger size (10.7 cm)



清代“香遠益清”獅鈕皂石印
中國，1731-1891年。方印，獅鈕，太獅頭轉向站在其背面的幼獅，太獅如意形鼻，闊嘴露尖齒，大耳後垂。太獅憨態可掬，少獅活潑可愛，栩栩如生。印章側面刻有詩文。請注意，石料自然朱紅色脈絡，巧妙地融入畫面。

款識：香遠益清

來源：英國古玩交易。
品相：品相良好，有輕微磨損，局部輕微刻痕，小缺損。

重量：142.5 克
尺寸：高6.7 厘米

拍賣結果比較：
形制：相近
拍賣：香港蘇富比，2016年10月4日，lot 26
價格：HKD 250,000（相當於今日EUR 35,000）
描述：康熙太獅少獅鈕皂石印
專家評論：請注意相近的尺寸(7 厘米)

拍賣結果比較：
形制：相近
拍賣：紐約佳士得，2008年3月19日，lot 331 A
價格：USD 22,500（相當於今日EUR 30,000）
描述：十八至十九世紀太獅少獅鈕皂石印
專家評論：請注意尺寸較大(10.7 厘米)