SIGNED LIN QINGQING, LATE QING-REPUBLIC PERIOD

The present seal bears the signature of Lin Qingqing (1876-1948), the renowned seal carver from Fujian known for his works carved in shallow relief. The seal is further carved with the signature of Gong Xinzhao (1870-1949), a scholar-official who served as a diplomat to the UK, France and Canada during the late-Qing period, and a highly esteemed collector. The accompanying box bears a label signed by Gong Xinzhao, recounting the journey of the present seal, from its origin as a raw stone to its place in his collection.