WESTERN HAN DYNASTY (206 BC-AD 8)

Details

A JADE INSCRIBED SQUARE SEAL
WESTERN HAN DYNASTY (206 BC-AD 8)
The square seal is carved on the seal face with two characters in seal script, Yue Li.
1 3/4 x 1 3/4 in. (1.8 cm. × 1.8 cm.), box

Provenance

Lantien Shanfang Collection, acquired in Hong Kong in 1991

Conditions of sale

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Lot Essay

The characters on the seal face of this seal, Yue Li, possibly refer to a name with Yue (also the character for moon) as the surname. According to the Book of Han, the Emperor Wu bestowed the title of Marquis on a person with the surname Yue from the Xiongnu tribe, a nomadic people living north and northwest of China during the Qin and Han dynasties. It is possible the current seal was once owned by a Xiongnu nobleman.

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