Description:

East Asia, China, late Qing Dynasty to Republic era, ca. 19th to 20th century CE. This Shoushan stamp seal features a cicada delicately perched atop a thick base resembling a tree stump with textured, scaly bark. The seal face is intricately carved with decorative leaves, and the characters are rendered in the "yang wen" or "zhuwen" style, meaning they are in relief and would be inked for imprinting. Such seals were commonly used as signatures and played an important role in legitimizing documents. In Chinese culture, the cicada, known as "tsan," symbolizes immortality, rebirth, and spiritual awakening, due to its transformative life cycle and ability to shed its exoskeleton. Historically jade cicadas were also placed in the mouths of the deceased as burial amulets, believed to offer protection in the afterlife. Size: 2.5" L x 1.5" W x 2.75" H (6.4 cm x 3.8 cm x 7 cm)

Provenance: private Truchas, New Mexico, USA collection, acquired early 2000's

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#189283

  • Condition: Abrasion and chip to front base area, but otherwise seal is intact and excellent.

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October 5, 2024 9:00 AM MDT
Louisville, CO, US

Artemis Fine Arts

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