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Lot Essay
The present seal is carved from celadon jade with a lion-form finial. The seal face measures 3.9 cm. long, 3.8 cm. wide, and 5.7 cm. high. The seal face is carved with a four-character inscription, Zhiliang yongzhong, ‘Holding the two extremes and adopting the mean’, and was used as a xianzhang ‘leisure seal’ by the Qianlong Emperor, as part of a three-seal set group. The impression of the current seal is included in Qingdai dihou xiyin pu [An Album of Impressions of the Qing-dynasty Emperors and Empresses’ Seals], Qianlong juan, vol. 2, p. 108 (fig. 1).
A clear record of this seal is documented in the Qing court catalogues of imperial seals Qianlong baosou. According to the same catalogue, the present seal served as the yajiao ‘ending’ seal within a three-seal set, with another yajiao seal inscribed with Guxi tianzi, ‘Emperor at the age of seventy’, and a yinshou ‘opening’ seal inscribed with Jingyi guxiang, ‘Hall of the Silent Attainment of Classic Fragrance’. Since the Qianlong Emperor only began using the Guxi tianzi seals from age seventy, the present seal must have been made after the 45th year of this reign (1780).
According to the research of Guo Fuxiang, the leading seal Jingyi guxiang, a ‘palace seal’, is named after the eponymous chamber within the Yuexin Hall on the Qiang Island (Beihai Park today) where the Emperor handled official affairs when he visited the Western Palace Complex. It is not surprising then, to find the inscription on the present seal associated with the political ideology of the Qianlong Emperor.
The inscription Zhiliang yongzhong is derived from the chapter of Zhongyong ‘Doctrine of the Mean’, in the Book of Rites. It is a fundamental ideology proposed by Confucius for rulers to govern the people. It proposes that rulers should adhere to the doctrine of the Mean, rather than leaning towards extremes, and handle affairs with impartiality and moderation.
The Jingyi guxiang seal was sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong 8 April 2023, lot 3740.
A clear record of this seal is documented in the Qing court catalogues of imperial seals Qianlong baosou. According to the same catalogue, the present seal served as the yajiao ‘ending’ seal within a three-seal set, with another yajiao seal inscribed with Guxi tianzi, ‘Emperor at the age of seventy’, and a yinshou ‘opening’ seal inscribed with Jingyi guxiang, ‘Hall of the Silent Attainment of Classic Fragrance’. Since the Qianlong Emperor only began using the Guxi tianzi seals from age seventy, the present seal must have been made after the 45th year of this reign (1780).
According to the research of Guo Fuxiang, the leading seal Jingyi guxiang, a ‘palace seal’, is named after the eponymous chamber within the Yuexin Hall on the Qiang Island (Beihai Park today) where the Emperor handled official affairs when he visited the Western Palace Complex. It is not surprising then, to find the inscription on the present seal associated with the political ideology of the Qianlong Emperor.
The inscription Zhiliang yongzhong is derived from the chapter of Zhongyong ‘Doctrine of the Mean’, in the Book of Rites. It is a fundamental ideology proposed by Confucius for rulers to govern the people. It proposes that rulers should adhere to the doctrine of the Mean, rather than leaning towards extremes, and handle affairs with impartiality and moderation.
The Jingyi guxiang seal was sold at Sotheby’s Hong Kong 8 April 2023, lot 3740.