KANGXI-YONGZHENG PERIOD (1662-1735)

The present pair of seals was carved for Prince Yi, (1686-1730), Yunxiang, who was the thirteenth son of the Kangxi Emperor (r. 1662-1722), and the younger brother of the Yongzheng Emperor (r. 1723-1735). Prince Yi had been born Aisin Gioro Yinxiang but when his brother became emperor, he had to change his name to Yunxiang to avoid naming taboo. As one of Yongzheng’s most trusted political allies and beloved kin, Yunxiang was promoted by Yongzheng to Prince of the First Rank immediately upon his accession to the throne, and was charged with the posts of Superintendent of Court Affairs and Commander-general of the Ministry of Revenue, with accountability for the Three Storehouses including the management of the imperial ateliers of the Yangxindian. Upon Yunxiang’s death, Yongzheng granted an exception by allowing his name to be reverted to Yinxiang. The Qianlong Emperor later elevated the Prince Yi title to an ‘iron-cap’ status so it became perpetually inheritable.

The style of carving of the finial and the inscription are similar to an imperial soapstone ‘Yuanjian huihao’ seal of the Kangxi Emperor sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 29 May 2019, lot 3009. Compare also to a pair of soapstone seals from the Kangxi period with qilin-form finials but without inlaid-eyes sold at Christie’s Hong Kong, 30 November 2016, lot 3352.