Lot 21. A very rare Imperial spinach-green jade seal, 18th-19th century; 7cm (2 3/4in) square. Estimate HK$ 500,000 - 800,000 (€ 55,000 - 88,000). Sold for HK$ 1,750,000 (€ 191,562) inc. premium. © Bonhams 2001-2018

Of trapezoidal form, carved in high relief with an adult chi-dragon glancing at two young clambering atop the sides, the underside crisply carved in relief with the four-character seal mark reading Su qin wang bao 肅親王寶, the stone of rich sea-green tone with darker and lighter inclusions.

Provenance: An Italian noble family.

Note: The seal is carved with the four characters Su qin wang bao, which may be translated as 'Treasure of Prince Su'.

The title of Prince Su of the First Rank, was one of the twelve 'iron-cap' Shi xi wang ti Princely peerages in the Qing dynasty, meaning that unlike other noble titles, the title was passed on to subsequent generations without diminishing. 

This princely title was first conferred in 1636 by Hong Taiji - known under the reign names of Tiancong and Chongde (1592-1643), son of Nurhaci and who was succeeded by the Shunzhi emperor - on his eldest son Hooge (1609-1648). The peerage was renamed to Prince Xian of the First Rank in 1651, and was re-conferred by the Qianlong emperor in 1778 on Yongxi 永錫 (d.1821) as Prince Su of the First Rank, and then held by five further generations.

Though it is not possible to determine which Prince Su commissioned this seal, its style of carving indicates a late 18th to early 19th century date. Therefore, it was most likely commissioned by either Yongxi 永錫 (d.1821), who was re-conferred the title in 1778 by the Qianlong emperor, or by Jingmin 敬敏 (d.1852). 

Compare a related Imperial jade seal inscribed Guxi Tianzi zhi Bao 'Treasure of the Seventy-years old Son of Heaven', of similar form but carved with five chi dragons, illustrated by S.H.Hansford, Chinese Carved Jades, London, 1968, pl.86.

Bonhams. FINE CHINESE CERAMICS AND WORKS OF ART, 29 May 2018, 14:00 HKT, HONG KONG, ADMIRALTY