18TH/19TH CENTURY

Details

AN IMPERIAL CARVED IDENTIFICATION PLAQUE
18TH/19TH CENTURY
The circular plaque surmounted by a shaped flange finely carved with a front-facing writhing dragon and pierced at the top, one side with an eight-character inscription in regular script, the reverse with a Manchu inscription in three lines, traces of gilding and coloured pigment remaining
4 5/8 in. (11.7 cm.) long

Special notice

Prospective purchasers are advised that several countries prohibit the importation of property containing materials from endangered species, including but not limited to coral, ivory and tortoiseshell. Accordingly, prospective purchasers should familiarize themselves with relevant customs regulations prior to bidding if they intend to import this lot into another country.

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Lot Essay

Such ivory plaques were used to identify the key to a room where a specified group of objects was to be found or identify an object or its location within the palace. They were usually attached to objects by a cord, such as the example shown in The Forbidden City, Rotterdam, 1990, no.76, p. 225, which is still tied to the original jade seal it was made for.

The eight-character inscription in Chinese refers to the Empress Xiaoshu Rui, who was the first wife of the Jiaqing Emperor (1796-1820) and the mother of the Daoguang Emperor (1821-50).

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