East Asia, China, Qing Dynasty, ca. 19th century CE.A stunning carved-shoushan stone chop stamp and ink pad, highly burnished and naturally adorned in warm hues of orange, pink, beige and deep grey. Presenting with a towering rectangular form, the lovely chop stamp produces a square imprint of a character of Chinese script, which translates to "life". However, its main aesthetic is in its form over its function. The stamp's tapered top is embellished with a skillfully carved figure of a horse, who stands with his right front leg curled inwards against a rock and wears a bridle, a saddle over a long blanket, and a horizontal harness decorated with dangling ornaments. Even the protective cover of the stamp boasts elegance, as it features a gorgeous geometric pattern in shades of blue, brown, and gold. This attractive implement pairs perfectly with its discoid ink pad. The smoothly carved piece opens horizontally to display a crimson red ink pad. Its lid is carefully adorned with an incised phytomorphic design, which is dyed with ink the same hue of which it carries. This striking set comes with a fine carrying box containing a soft red pillow and enveloped in material that matches the stamp cover. Size (chop seal): 1.125" W x 3.9" H (2.9 cm x 9.9 cm); (ink pad): 2.2" W x 0.75" H (5.6 cm x 1.9 cm); (display box): 5.2" L x 5.5" W x 1.8" H (13.2 cm x 14 cm x 4.6 cm)

Shoushan stone, the most famous agalmatolite in China, is mined in the Shoushan village in northern Fujian and has been used for carvings since the 5th century CE.

Provenance: private Southern California collection, USA, bestowed 2006; ex-J. Malter collection, Los Angeles, California, USA, acquired before 2006

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#161125

Both pieces are intact and excellent with great detailing to horse and red ink remaining in ink pad.