Xiao Tan Jian Qi Tu Ni Hong (Graceful demeanour and eloquence) Seal, by He Zhen (1535-1604), 1604, the 31st year of the Wanli reign, Ming (1368-1644). Qingtian stone. Length 4.05 cm, Width 3.9 cm, Height 7.1 cm. © Shanghai Museum.

This work of He Zhen is one of the very few extant raw gemstone seal carvings. The cutting is straight and forceful, with strong marks at the starting and ending of the strokes, rendering sharp and momentous effect. The carving is cool and composed, showing very distinctive personality. The owner of this seal was Zhu Zhibo, a great writer of the Ming dynasty. The script of the seal implies that his talent shown in his speeches was as wonderful as the rainbow in the sky.