Details
A FINE TIANHUANG SEAL
17TH CENTURY, BY YANG YUXUAN

Finely carved with a fierce bixie poised on his muscular haunches, with clearly articulated features and fur, atop a rectangular seal, the broad side with two signatures, Yu Xuan and Fu An, the semi-translucent, rich honey coloured stone with natural golden and amber inclusions
2 3/4 in. (7 cm.) high, box

Lot Essay

Yang Yuxuan, of Fujian province, was active during the mid-17th century. One of the most sought-after, revered carvers of his time, he is also credited with popularizing the trend of incorporating natural irregularities in stone into carving designs. For a discussion of Yang and his work, see the Oriental Ceramic Society of Hong Kong exhibition, Arts from the Scholar's Studio, University of Hong Kong, 1986, Catalogue, no. 45.

The seal, carved by Wang Fu'an, is composed of three verses, Hao Xue Jin Hu Zhi, Li Xing Jin Hu Ren, Zhi Chi Jin Hu Yong, "[to approach] Wisdom through study, Kindness through practice, Courage through humility".

Wang Fu'an (1878-1960), a native of Hangzhou, was famous for both his calligraphy and his carving. A proponent of the Zhe School of seal carving, he was also a founding member of the Xiling seal carving society.

(US$40,000-60,000)

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